Krokodil: the terrible effects of this dangerous new drug

The Krokodil or Desomorphine It is a homemade opiate-based drug that is up to ten times stronger than heroin and many times cheaper and more toxic.

The effects of the drug are both terrible and irreversible. The name Krokodil comes from the reaction of the drug in the person who takes it, whose skin will turn green and scaly, like that of a crocodile, among many other undesirable effects.

What is Krokodil?

Krokodil is increasingly being used by drug addicts in some parts of Europe as a substitute for heroin, especially in the poorer regions of Russia and Siberia.

Addiction to this drug does not last very long, since regular users do not usually live more than two years ever since they started taking this combination of pain medication and highly toxic chemicals.

Combining toxic chemicals and pain medications

Desomorphine is made at home from a combination of codeine-based tablets, a solvent for paint, lighter fluid, gasoline, hydrochloric acid, red phosphorus (scraping from matchboxes) and iodine. The result of cooking painkillers and chemicals is a highly addictive and toxic drug.

Addicts are continually cooking the drug to make sure they can get the next dose. The caramel-colored liquid is injected into damaged and gangrenous areas giving users a "high" that will last for a maximum of thirty minutes.

Effects edit

The toxic nature of these chemicals causes the skin to change color and become scaly. In consumers, the skin around the injection sites becomes covered with ulcers and the blood vessels rupture, causing tissue death. The skin is eaten away by the chemicals in the drug, which rot the meat to the bone. Teeth fall out, brain damage is common, and tetanus and blood poisoning is almost assured.

Reports suggest that the use of Krokodil is increasing in poor regions, like isolated parts of Russia, where heroin is hard to find. Up to 5% of drug addicts in Russia use Krokodil or other home drugs. Krokodil has higher addiction rates and is harder to kick than heroin. Users will go through severe and painful withdrawal periods for up to a month after stopping use, but the long-term effects of the drug will last longer. Brain damage, hepatitis, rotten teeth, or amputations are some of the side effects.

A growing drug in Europe

In Europe, despite horrible reactions and side effects, its consumption has been increasing since 2002. This increase is believed to be related to the success of drug eradication programs, which have reduced the influx of heroin in countries like Russia.

Heroin treatment also lacks public funds in the country, and it should be noted that methadone therapy is illegal in the Soviet country. In addition, seven states in the United States have also reported cases of Krokodil use.

A drug that is gaining ground in the old continent and about which the health authorities have already warned the population.