Saddle Ridge Middle School Kratom Investigation Yields No Illegal Substance

WALKER COUNTY — The Walker County Sheriff’s Office says after an investigation into 3 students becoming ill after ingesting a substance of what was believed to be Kratom, further testing and examination revealed that the substance did not contain kratom or any other illegal substance.

On October 29, 2025, Walker County dispatch notified deputies that three middle school students at Saddle Ridge Middle School had become ill after ingesting a suspected “gummy” substance.

It was suspected that the substance caused the students to have severe nausea with lethargic motor skills.

All three of the students were transported to area hospitals for treatment and were later released.

“Working with the American Kratom Association, the evidence was sent to the University of Florida, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, for testing and examination. This week the Sheriff’s Office received the lab report indicating that the gummy substance did not test positive for Kratom, nor did it test positive for 64 other illicit drugs.”

– The Walker County Sheriff’s Office said.

They say with no illegal substance identified, the investigation will be closed.