In a bold move to tackle America's escalating opioid epidemic, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr has pledged to ban tianeptine – an unregulated antidepressant increasingly sold in gas stations and convenience stores across the nation.
The 'Gas Station Opioid' Crisis
Often marketed as a dietary supplement under names like 'ZaZa' or 'Tianaa', tianeptine has earned the nickname 'gas station heroin' due to its opioid-like effects and easy availability. The drug, originally developed in France as an antidepressant, has become popular among those seeking a legal high or self-medicating for anxiety and depression.
Dangerous Effects and Addiction Risks
Medical experts warn that tianeptine:
- Creates similar euphoric effects to traditional opioids
- Causes severe withdrawal symptoms including agitation and insomnia
- Leads to dangerous respiratory depression in high doses
- Has been linked to multiple overdose deaths
"This is pharmaceutical companies creating addicts through the back door," Kennedy stated during his campaign announcement. "We cannot allow powerful psychoactive drugs to be sold next to candy bars and energy drinks."
Growing Regulatory Concern
While tianeptine is prescription-only in Europe and banned in several US states, it remains unregulated at federal level. The FDA has issued multiple warnings about its risks, noting:
- Increasing reports of addiction and withdrawal
- Cases of people using it to wean off stronger opioids
- Potential for abuse as a recreational drug
Kennedy's proposed ban forms part of his wider platform addressing America's mental health and addiction crises, though critics argue his stance may drive the trade underground rather than solve the problem.
