Today, there are countless drugs on the market. Each of these drugs can wreak havoc upon the user, with a variety of side effects. There are new drugs and new drug mixtures out everyday causing even worse symptoms than those before them. Some drugs can stop a heartbeat, while others cause flesh to rot off the bone. One of these drugs is Krocodil. A popular drug found in Russia, Krocodil use has spread the country and has created the world’s first drug use epidemic.
Krocodil
Krocodil is essentially desomorphine, which is a form of morphine. It is around eight times more potent than morphine. The high does not last as long as the morphine high though. Krocodil gets its name from the effects it leaves on the skin. At the injection site the skin will turn a gangrenous green and takes on a scaly appearance, which resembles that of a crocodile. This is how Krocodil derives its name. The poison is created by mixing codeine with common household items, which is why this horrific drug is also referred to as the poor man’s drug.
Poor Man’s Drug
Heroin, which is popular in Russia, is quite expensive on the European market. This is why Krocodil has become widely used. It is a drug that not only mimics the heroin high, but is extremely cheap to make. The main ingredient is codeine, which in Russia is an over the counter medication, that can be obtained easily. Codeine cooked with household ingredients such as paint thinner, gasoline, hydrochloric acid, iodine, and red phosphorus produces Krocodil. The average cooking time is around an hour to an hour and a half, which is also how long the high will last. With ingredients being so cheap and accessible, Krocodil use has become the worlds first drug epidemic.
Long Lasting Effects
All drugs have negative side effects, but Krocodil’s really take the cake. Users rarely survive after just two years of use. The substance effects motor coordination as well as speech and other neurological functions. Blood poisoning is also very common among those who inject Krocodil. However, the most notable side effect is the phenomenon of rotting flesh. Those afflicted resemble the walking dead as flesh literally rots off their bones leaving gaping horror movie like wounds.
Russia
Currently the use of Krocodil is limited to Russia. However, any search of the term will pull up countless recipes for the poison. It is only a matter of time before the Krocodil epidemic confined to Russia becomes a world wide pandemic. It’s believed that Northern Russia was susceptible due to the long winters and extended periods of darkness, which may have resulted in boredom and depression among young people. What ever the reason, it is a serious national problem. However, with little governmental funding towards rehabilitation programs those afflicted are at risk. There are only an estimated 500 rehabilitation centers throughout Russia mostly run by private religious organizations. This makes recovery virtually impossible for many.
The use of drugs is rampant throughout the world, and each drug is dangerous. However, Krocodil is especially dangerous. It is a cheap drug that is easy to make that has grotesque side effects that begin at initial use. Rotting flesh is the main effect that can give rise to infections. Without proper drug rehabilitation facilities those who use Krocodil are destined for death. Hopefully the epidemic created in Russia stays there and does not spread throughout the world creating the world’s first drug pandemic.
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