The Newest US Drug Threat, Krokodil Drug Its Way Into the US
Maybe you have heard about the newest US drug threat, maybe not. The synthetic drug, Krokodil, originated in Russia and now there have been two confirmed cases in Arizona, Utah and Nevada and suspicion of abuse in the Chicago area. In one week, five people showed up at area hospitals with signs of krokodil dependency.
Krokodil is a manmade version of a heroin like drug but is dirt cheap. The ingredients in krokodil are a mixture of gasoline, codeine, iodine, red phosphorous, and hydrochloric acid. Users shoot up the drug and in no time at all their skin begins to resemble that of a crocodile, hence the name in Russian. First, the skin turns green, and then becomes scaly, and then the skin begins to decompose and decay, leaving behind the stench of rotting flesh.
The site of injection will abscess and become gangrenous, in part of the chemicals used and the dirty needles. It was suspected that because heroin is easy to get in the US that there would be no need for krokodil. It was popular in Russia and the Ukraine because heroin is not easily accessible. However, more cases of krokodil use are being noted. In fact, two deaths have been reported in Oklahoma, one as recent as today.
Krokodil drug is a lot like heroin and was first seen a decade ago in Russia. It is homemade and therefore much cheaper than heroin is. Krokodil is the cause of thousands of deaths in Russia annually. Use of krokodil will cause the blood vessels to rupture and the skin will decay right from the bone. Krokodil is very common amongst a younger crowd, killing many in their twenties. Those who do manage to break free from krokodil addiction are almost always disfigured for life. When the flesh begins to rot, you can literally see tendons and bones.
The US DEA has had a close eye on krokodil abuse trends for a few years now when they first confirmed its use overseas. Those who take krokodil regularly usually will not live longer than a year in most cases. The toxic poisons are just too much for the human body to handle and it will begin to shut down. Unfortunately, people know this before they ever use krokodil in the first place and they still do it anyways. Many begin with a heroin addiction they cannot support and then someone tells them about krokodil.
Cheryl Hinneburg is the content writer for KLEAN Treatment Center, located in West Hollywood CA. She is also working on her MS in substance abuse counseling. Cheryl has a BBA from Baker College. Cheryl's specialty is in the field of drug addiction.
Krokodil is a manmade version of a heroin like drug but is dirt cheap. The ingredients in krokodil are a mixture of gasoline, codeine, iodine, red phosphorous, and hydrochloric acid. Users shoot up the drug and in no time at all their skin begins to resemble that of a crocodile, hence the name in Russian. First, the skin turns green, and then becomes scaly, and then the skin begins to decompose and decay, leaving behind the stench of rotting flesh.
The site of injection will abscess and become gangrenous, in part of the chemicals used and the dirty needles. It was suspected that because heroin is easy to get in the US that there would be no need for krokodil. It was popular in Russia and the Ukraine because heroin is not easily accessible. However, more cases of krokodil use are being noted. In fact, two deaths have been reported in Oklahoma, one as recent as today.
Krokodil drug is a lot like heroin and was first seen a decade ago in Russia. It is homemade and therefore much cheaper than heroin is. Krokodil is the cause of thousands of deaths in Russia annually. Use of krokodil will cause the blood vessels to rupture and the skin will decay right from the bone. Krokodil is very common amongst a younger crowd, killing many in their twenties. Those who do manage to break free from krokodil addiction are almost always disfigured for life. When the flesh begins to rot, you can literally see tendons and bones.
The US DEA has had a close eye on krokodil abuse trends for a few years now when they first confirmed its use overseas. Those who take krokodil regularly usually will not live longer than a year in most cases. The toxic poisons are just too much for the human body to handle and it will begin to shut down. Unfortunately, people know this before they ever use krokodil in the first place and they still do it anyways. Many begin with a heroin addiction they cannot support and then someone tells them about krokodil.
Cheryl Hinneburg is the content writer for KLEAN Treatment Center, located in West Hollywood CA. She is also working on her MS in substance abuse counseling. Cheryl has a BBA from Baker College. Cheryl's specialty is in the field of drug addiction.
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