In the early to mid 2000s the number of men and women suffering from heroin addiction in Russia was skyrocketing . However, at the same time the presence of heroin was plummeting. As a result, the costs of heroin skyrocketed. This is a typical case of supply and demand. When supply is low and demand is high, costs always go up. Less heroin available meant a higher price for what was remaining. As a result, heroin became 5 to 10 times more expensive which of course left heroin addicts struggling. With all of these addicts sick and in withdrawal an alternative had to be found. Thus Krokodil (the crocodile drug) was born or rather invented.
Is Krokodil Really a “Flesh-Eating” Drug?
Desomorphine, the street name Krokodil is actually named so because of the specific side effects of this drug. Krokodil turns a user’s skin green and scaly, much like a crocodile – which is why it’s been frequently called the crocodile drug. It’s also been called the zombie drug and statements like “this is how the zombie apocalypse starts” are boldly made when discussing this horrifying drug.
Krokodil is made at home with codeine (easily purchased over the counter). It is then mixed and minimally cooked with paint thinner, gasoline, hydrochloric acid, iodine, red phosphorous found on matchbox strike pads. Drain cleaners and turpentine is also sometimes used. Most Krokodil “cooks” have customers waiting for new batches and seldom use it themselves. Krokodil users and addicts take the resulting fluid mixture and concoction and like heroin, intravenously inject it into their veins.
Much like heroin, Krokodil provides a euphoric type of high for the user. The Krokodil high is said to be more intense and the potential for addiction is even greater than heroin. However the effects of this drug are unlike any other. The chemicals in the Krokodil mixture can cause blood vessels to burst at the injection site and targeted area. The flesh begins to rot and decay away from the inside out, leaving raw gaping flesh wounds and in cases of chronic use, it can even cause exposed bones.
Gangrene and amputations are a common outcome associated with this “flesh eating drug” . The life expectancy for a chronic user is only about 2-3 years.
Did Krokodil Really Make it to the United States?
Despite the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) once claiming that Krokodil wouldn’t make it to America in 2013 a rash of cases were reported. In Arizona and Illinois heroin users (who thought they’d been using heroin) began to show the rotting flesh side effects of Krokodil. The DEA and CDC were forced to confirm these cases and the presence of the drug in this country.
Afterwards however, many conflicting reports were released about this which seems to have led to the publics full denial of these cases. We recently published an article about Krokodil (see “Krokodil – Flesh Eating Drug Comes to the United States“) and were faced with such denial and even criticism by a few. Maybe this is just an ignorant ( lacking knowledge in) denial or people are scared to think that something so bad could be so close to home.
This ignorance or fear, in my opinion is incredibly dangerous and exhibits the same denial still existing and presented related to the current heroin epidemic problem. Just as dangerous is this misconception that Krokodil couldn’t make it into the United States and these references to this drug “hitting” our streets.
The fact of the matter is that there will be no “hitting” or sudden rise in the popularity or use of this drug in America. At least not with heroin being as easily obtainable as it is now. A recent news report stated that it is easier to buy heroin (on the streets) than it is to buy marijuana and even as affordable as a bottle of wine. William, publisher and founder of this community can personally attest to this since as a recovering addict and after his addiction to opioids (Oxycodone) started, he subsequently purchased heroin almost daily. Frankly, it could be found and purchased on just about every street corner in Kensington (Philadelphia), PA. Almost just as common and as easy to purchase was crack, referred to as “hard”.
Krokodil Can Be Made From Common Household Items and Chemicals
Krokodil is made with such common chemicals that anyone could make it themselves. Therefore, this drug doesn’t have to be imported and the fear of it “making it to the United States” is nonsensical. It’s already here. It’s under our kitchen sinks, in our medicine cabinets and garages.. It is in our homes. While writing this article, I was able to watch a video that was basically cooking instructions for this drug. Sadly, it’s that easy!
With people overdosing in record high numbers from fentanyl, or worse, the recent carfentanil related deaths of 2 13 year old boys who died from “Pink” (synthetic heroin) in a 48 hour period that we reported, we need to stop thinking that these things can’t get into our country or into our homes. Far too many people have learned this lesson the hard way. “Not my country” is the same statement as “not my child” Sadly, these are the infamous words of parents of many addicts or overdose victims. It’s time that we stop being so naïve and group together so we can do something about it.
Special Note:
The photos provided in this article are from the article http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2460854/Krokodil-Two-sisters-claim-proof-Russian-flesh-eating-drug-used-U-S.html where two sisters claim their sores are from using Krokodil. Note that we don’t have a confirmation as to whether or not these women legitimately used Krokodil nor do we know whether or not the pictures of their sores are from Krokodil use or not.
Written By, Frankly Valentine- Editor and Forum Co-Moderator For Kill the Heroin Epidemic Nationwide™
Edited and Published By, William – Publisher and Founder
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