Crocodile (Krokodil): A New and Dangerous Drug

Krokodil Drug : A New and Dangerous Drug - This new drug, known by the names Crocodile or Krokodil, is an inexpensive substitute for heroin. Crocodile is made from desomorphine, a synthetic opiate that is a derivative of morphine. In the public domain, Crocodile and desomorphine are synonymous, but in reality, Crocodile refers to a home-made and generally dirty form of desomorphine. This has led heroin to become too expensive or difficult to find for many addicts and opened the door for a cheaper, more accessible alternative.

Compared to heroin, Crocodile is inexpensive to manufacture and therefore, cheap to buy on the streets. As with other home-made drugs, there are many variations in the manufacture of Crocodile. The process for making Crocodile from codeine tablets is similar to the process of making methamphetamine from pseudoephedrine.

The "high" from Crocodile lasts about ninety minutes. Given that Crocodile takes approximately an hour to make, many users are spending all of their waking hours either making or using this drug. And given the discomfort of withdrawal from Crocodile, those addicted to it need to wake up frequently at night to take more of it.

Crocodile received its name due to the effect it has on the skin of its users. Crocodile is generally injected and, as noted above, the drug is loaded with toxic chemicals. Crocodile causes one's skin to take on a greenish hue and become scaly. There have been reports that it is being used in the United States, although data about its availability is limited.

Withdrawal from Crocodile is reported to be quite difficult. In comparison to heroin, the physical pain associated with withdrawal from Crocodile are said to be intense for up to a month and sometimes even longer. It has been reported that the physical sensation of pain is so intense during detox from Crocodile that some users lose consciousness. Due to the difficult detox, as well as lack of treatment services in the poorest areas of Russia where this drug is flourishing, the average life expectancy of a person addicted to Crocodile is 2-3 years.

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