SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Patti Wheeler was curious what her son Wyatt, a business student, was using when she found a “supplement” container on a family trip.

A short time later, he was dead.

”My son Wyatt passed away from Kratom,” said Wheeler, who flew into Salt Lake from Florida and arrived at the state Capitol on Thursday.

“There’s no doubt in your mind that Kratom was the cause of Wyatt’s death?” 2News asked.

“A hundred percent,” she replied, adding the coroner confirmed it, calling some forms of Kratom as addictive as heroin or morphine.

MORE | Kratom

Wheeler is the executive producer of a new documentary, “Kratom, Side Effects May Include,” and Drug Free Utah invited lawmakers — in the middle of the Kratom debate — for dinner and screening Thursday night at the Gateway theater.

Walter Plumb, Drug Free Utah leader, said his daughter would drink Kratom as a tea and that it spiked her blood pressure.

“She eventually had a stroke,” Plumb said, followed by months of rehab.

The American Kratom Association said the substance, derived from leaves of tropical trees in Southeast Asia, is safe if used properly.

Though legal in most states, the FDA has urged people not to consume it, citing adverse side effects, including seizures.

“I’m a success story,” said Lora Romney, a “nine-year” Kratom user, who testified before a legislative committee last month. “I have incredible health.”

Romney said Kratom dramatically improved a nerve condition.

“If this were to be banned,” she said, “I literally will not be able to get out of bed.”

Measures at the Capitol could severely restrict Kratom, which is widely available at stores all over the state, but banning it outright seems off the table with just a couple of weeks to go this legislative session.

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Utah voters entrust our representatives with real authority — with our voice. This includes the duty to speak when constitutional norms, the rule of law and basic human dignity are under strain.

On Jan. 24, a group of neighbors in Holladay found ourselves talking about troubling national news — another fatal encounter involving federal law enforcement in Minneapolis.

At first, we spoke cautiously, unsure whether we shared the same political views. But restraint soon gave way as people voiced what they were feeling.

“I’ve been crying all day.”

“I’m questioning what it means to be an American.”

“I no longer recognize the party I belong to.”

“This is wrong, and I feel powerless to stop it.”

That sense of powerlessness, it became clear, was because we do not see our values being reflected in congressional action. Utah voters entrust our representatives with real authority — with our voice. This includes the duty to speak when constitutional norms, the rule of law and basic human dignity are under strain. When that voice is absent, silence itself becomes a message.

Writing a letter to a member of Congress can feel like a small thing, but we had to begin somewhere. So one was written that we all could sign, directed to Utah’s delegation. At its core, the letter asked a simple question: Is loyalty to a political movement taking precedence over loyalty to constituents’ values?

The values we had in mind are not radical, but moderate. We believe them to be widely shared across Utah.

Respect for law and life

We believe Utahns want law and order, but we reject brutality, abuse of power and enforcement stripped of humanity. Justice works best when it is firm, lawful and tempered with mercy. Congressional oversight of the executive branch is not optional; it is a constitutional responsibility, especially when violations occur.

Consensus through compromise

Utahns have learned over time to navigate disagreement through listening, good-faith negotiation and respect for democratic outcomes. Strategies of domination and marginalization — whether aimed at individuals, cities, states or nations — undermine democratic legitimacy and weaken the country. We want representatives who are committed to bipartisan problem-solving, not partisan entrenchment.

Growth and well-being for all

Utahns are deeply concerned about unsustainable debt and widening economic inequality. Prosperity carries responsibility for the common good. Those entrusted with public resources must act with integrity, address poverty and corruption, and resist oppression wherever it appears — at home or abroad.

The letter noted the low profile that Utah’s congressional delegation has maintained despite a series of concerning executive actions over the past year.

“We feel you can and must do more,” it stated. “With narrow margins in Congress, if you act together as Utahns — prioritizing principles over partisanship — our state can have an outsized influence in defending constitutional norms, insisting on accountability and restoring trust in government.”

We closed by asking our leaders to put Utah values first, to speak clearly when the rule of law is threatened and to use the power we entrusted to them with courage and independence.

Before delivering it, we thought to invite others to sign with us — friends, family members, others who might share our concerns but lacked a constructive way to act. We hoped for a few dozen signatories from across the state.

We began circulating it on the morning of Jan. 27. The response exceeded our expectations. By noon, dozens had signed. By evening, hundreds. The next day, Utahns were signing it by the hundred per hour.

Messages expressing relief and resolve also poured in.

“Thank you for putting my feelings into words.”

“I haven’t been this relieved to sign something in a long time.”

“I hope this letter becomes impossible to ignore.”

After two days, we delivered it to the offices of each senator and member of Congress with more than 1,700 signatures from across the state. And they were still coming — within three more days the total was more than 2,400.

This effort was not a scientific poll. But it confirmed something important: Politically moderate Utahns may not dominate headlines, but we are engaged, and there is pent-up desire for our voice to be acknowledged.

We are ready to support leaders — of any party — who will speak up for our values, act in defense of constitutional norms and the rule of law, and lead with integrity, dignity and courage.

Cynthia Collier, Dave Young and Ken Lisonbee are Holladay neighbors, Salt Lake valley natives and concerned citizens.

The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.