Krokodil – a drug that strikes fear into junkies
A look at the flesh-eating drug considered to be the world's deadliest.
The drug world is scary, but it can’t get any more frightening than Krokodil – a flesh-eating drug – that is fast becoming the world’s deadliest illegal drug.
It is so terrifying that the words ‘walking zombies’ are used to describe its users.
What is even more alarming is that compared to the life expectancy of a heroin addict being seven years, the life expectancy of a Krokodil addict is just a year or two.
The only good news is no cases of Krokodil abuse has been reported in Randfontein yet, said Captain Appel Ernst but, they are aware of the deadly drug and the effects it could have on users.
It is said Krokodil is a fairly new drug that originated in Russia. While several drugs are considered to be very addictive and physically damaging, Krokodil is said to be the worst destroyer of body tissue, the mind and soul.
The question is, why would anyone want to use a destructive drug like Krokodil?
One of the reasons is when heroin addicts no longer can afford their highly addictive drug, they resort to Krokodil, which has a stronger kick and is about a tenth of the price of heroin.
While prices may vary, the street price for heroin is said to be R50 per gram. South Africa has a huge number of low-income heroin addicts, making the increasing use of Krokodil almost inevitable.
According to reports, Krokodil is fast-acting and estimated to be around eight to ten times more potent than morphine. However, the half-life is short, and euphoric effects may last less than two hours. Due to the short “high”, many users take the drug more often to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
It is also said withdrawal from the drug Krokodil is savage and much worse than from heroin. Heroin can cause sickness and pain for up to ten days but withdrawal from Krokodil can result in a month of unbearable pain.
Extremely strong tranquillisers are used during withdrawal so the addict does lose consciousness because of the severe pain. Doctors dealing with addicts say this is the highest level of addiction and the hardest to cure.
Addicts who manage to get clean from Krokodil may be left with permanent damage such as speech impediment, vacant gaze and erratic movements.
According to drugs.com, a website that identifies and describes toxic reactions including from drug and substance abuse, “Desomorphine, known by the street name Krokodil, is an opioid (a substance that is as addictive as opium and has the same physiological effects) derivative or by-product of codeine (a sleep-inducing drug derived from morphine). Like heroin and other opioids, it has a sedative and analgesic (pain-relieving) effect, is highly addictive and potentially harmful.
“Home-made versions of the drug start with codeine, and can be ‘cooked’ similar to illicit methamphetamine (meth) production. Organic solvents such as gasoline, paint thinner, or lighter fluid, iodine (disinfectant), hydrochloric acid and red phosphorus (from matches) are used. These dangerous chemicals are not always fully ‘cooked’ out of the concoction when used to make illicit Krokodil.
“Those who inject these caustic (burning) agents into their veins can develop extreme skin ulcerations, infections and gangrene – a discoloured (green, black) scale-like skin that resembles a crocodile, hence the street name “Krokodil”. Krokodil also refers to chlorocodide, a codeine derivative in the synthetic path to desomorphine.
“Krokodil is also called ‘Russian Magic’ referring to its short duration of opioid intoxication (euphoria).”
• Video documentary courtesy of RT – a Russian 24/7 English-language news channel: Warning: Some content might upset sensitive viewers.
• Sources: www.drugs.com and www.narconon.org
