Addiction Nonprofit Shatterproof Applauds DEA's 7-OH Scheduling, Urges Broader Federal Action

Why it matters

Shatterproof is one of the nation's leading addiction recovery nonprofits. Their endorsement of DEA's 7-OH action reflects broad public health consensus that synthetic and concentrated kratom derivatives needed stronger federal oversight — and signals what advocates expect next.

The big picture

As the DEA moves to temporarily schedule 7-OH and three related substances, addiction treatment and recovery organizations are weighing in alongside industry groups and consumer advocates. Shatterproof's statement reflects a view widely held in the clinical and public health communities: the scheduling action is necessary, but federal work on kratom-related substances is far from done.

Key findings

• Shatterproof, a national nonprofit focused on addiction, called the DEA's 7-OH scheduling 'an important and long-overdue step'
• The group cited youth access to products marketed as natural despite containing concentrated, semi-synthetic or synthetic opioid-like compounds
• Shatterproof called for evaluating the broader landscape of synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom derivatives — not just the four substances covered in the current action
• The nonprofit urged clearer product standards, stronger enforcement against unsafe products, and rigorous scientific research on whole-leaf kratom and mitragynine
• Shatterproof's recent Health Affairs analysis and educational webinar on kratom have documented the risks of today's evolving kratom marketplace

What they say

"This is an important and long-overdue step toward addressing the rapid proliferation of highly potent, chemically modified kratom-related products that have outpaced existing regulatory safeguards," Shatterproof said in a July 2, 2026 statement. "While this action represents meaningful progress, it is not the finish line."

Bottom line

The nation's leading addiction recovery nonprofit backs the DEA's 7-OH scheduling action while calling on federal agencies to establish broader product standards, strengthen enforcement, and invest in scientific research on all kratom-related substances.