Aid workers warn about Krokodil

Wedge Gardens warned the community of the new flesh-eating drug called the Krokodil.

According to a social worker at Wedge Gardens, Ms Lizette Treurnich, the drug has not yet made its way to South Africa.

“However, a number of cases have been reported at emergency units, especially in the Western Cape. Due to Krokodil being cheap and easy to make, it is only a matter of time before this drug becomes popular in South Africa,” said Ms Treurnich.

“The community needs to be aware of the the effects of the drug. The drug was developed in the poorer areas of Russia as a cheap alternative to heroin. Its medical name is desomorphine but it is commonly known as Krokodil because of the terrible effect it has on a user’s skin,” said Ms Treurnich.

She said the Krokodil drug is a mixture of codeine and highly toxic substances.

“Addicts pay a heavy price for Krokodil’s cheap high,” said Ms Treurnich.

She said when injected, it causes blood vessels to burst and the surrounding tissue dies, which may result in the tissue falling off the bone in chunks.

The withdrawal symptoms are also reported to be worse than heroin. Krokodil can result in a month of excruciating pain.

“Doctors dealing with addicts say that it’s the strongest level of addiction and the hardest to cure. If a person does manage to stop using Krokodil, they are often left with permanent damage include speech impediments, a vacant gaze and erratic movements,” she said.

Signs of use include scaly lesions at injection sites and grey and green, scabrous, flaky skin.

Futhermore, Ms Treurnich said it was this side effect that earned Krokodil its other nickname: the zombie drug.

The life span of an addict is just two to three years.

“Although Wedge Gardens has yet to encounter the world’s most alarming drug, therapists at the Rand Aid Association rehab centre and their colleagues around the country dread the day when widespread use of Krokodil takes root in South Africa,” said Ms Treurnich.