FDA’s Prohibition Push Threatens Public Health Amid Opioid Decline

By Charlie Kolean
Thursday, 25 September 2025 11:25 AM EDT

The opioid epidemic ravaged our country, and it’s finally beginning to show signs of receding. Opioid-related deaths continue to decline, with this trend observed in nearly every state nationally. However, Washington’s ivory tower elites persist in pushing policies that harm everyday Americans while falsely claiming to “protect” them.

The FDA’s crusade against 7-OH, a natural derivative used by thousands as a safe alternative to opioids, exemplifies how federal health agencies prioritize political optics over science or compassion. While Washington touts evidence-based policymaking and interagency coordination, the current push to restrict 7-OH reveals a troubling focus on symbolism rather than tangible outcomes.

The FDA’s latest effort to move 7-OH toward prohibition elevates fear over data, risking unintended harm during a time when overdose trends demand pragmatic harm reduction. The agency’s mandate is to protect public health, yet its approach to 7-OH appears more aligned with “schedule first, analyze later.” By targeting a compound with minimal documented adverse events—particularly compared to the deadly fentanyl crisis—federal actors risk repeating past missteps where prohibition displaced, rather than reduced, risk.

The national context remains dire: 107,941 Americans died from overdoses in 2022, driven primarily by synthetic opioids. While provisional data show declines in 2023 and 2024, fentanyl remains the dominant threat. Blanket bans on natural alternatives like 7-OH could push consumers toward more dangerous illicit street drugs.

Congress has witnessed this pattern before. In 2016, when the DEA sought to ban kratom’s constituents, bipartisan resistance from both chambers forced a reconsideration, as lawmakers feared escalation to heroin and fentanyl if lower-risk options disappeared. This episode highlights a key Capitol Hill principle: prohibition without public input or peer-reviewed evidence often worsens public health outcomes.

A middle path exists. Instead of an outright ban, federal agencies could implement a 21+ standard, mandate accurate labeling, and enforce quality controls to align with harm reduction practices already reflected in other HHS-supported overdose strategies. Such measures could reduce misuse while preserving regulated alternatives for adults managing pain or tapering off more dangerous opioids.

Federal leadership should prioritize targeted enforcement against counterfeit pills and trafficking, alongside age-gated access to lower-risk options like 7-OH. This approach better aligns with current overdose data trends and lessons from prior congressional oversight. A blanket 7-OH ban risks pushing people toward far deadlier substances, offering political theater rather than measurable public health gains.

Charlie Kolean has worked as a senior policy adviser for state legislators, multinational corporations, and think tanks. Mr. Kolean has been involved in politics for over a decade as an activist, candidate, political consultant, and party leader. He was a bundler on the Trump Finance Victory Committee and is a member of the American Association of Political Consultants.