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Krokodil is the street name for desomorphine, a highly addictive and dangerous opioid drug that has been used as a cheap substitute for heroin, primarily in Russia and other former Soviet countries.
Opioids are drugs that relieve pain. There are different types of opioids available, including those made from poppy plants, such as morphine, and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl.
When used as prescribed, they can be very effective at treating pain that's not relieved by other pain medications, such as acetaminophen.
Opioids work by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain and preventing pain signals. They also boost feelings of pleasure, which is why they're addictive.
Some common street names for Krokodil are: Crocodil, Russian Magic, Poor Man's Heroin, Zombie drug.
What is krokodil & why is it called a "Zombie Drug"?
Krokodil has been called a “zombie drug” by the media. Most reports of krokodil use in the media have shown addicted individuals who have gangrene or eschars (dead patches of skin) on their bodies. The skin of krokodil injection users can become black, grey, green, and scabby and can flake off—resembling the skin of a reptile or crocodile at the site of injection.
Krokodil is reported to contain desomorphine, a semi-synthetic morphine analogue synthesized in the 1930s. Due to illicit, home-based manufacturing it may contain other unknown ingredients.
Desomorphine is a Schedule I substance in the United States, meaning it has a high abuse potential with no accepted medical use. Other chemical names include dihydrodesoxymorphine or dihydrodesoxymorphine-D. It has been controlled in the Unites States since 1936.
Krokodil also refers to chlorocodide, a codeine derivative in the synthetic path to desomorphine. Homemade 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, hydrochloric acid, and red phosphorus (from matches) are used in homemade synthetis. These dangerous chemicals are not always fully "cooked" out of the concoction when used to make illicit Krokodil.
According to the DEA, in 2004 the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) identified two samples of desomorphine. Since that time the DEA states no other exhibits have been identified as desomorphine (up to 2019). However, a case report from 2020 notes that usage is increasing in the United States, but much less than heroin.
What is the extent of krokodil use?
The use of desomorphine was first reported in 1935 as a treatment for pain caused by trauma.
The drug was found to be a more potent pain reliever than morphine with a shorter duration and less nausea. Doctors continued to use the drug before and after surgery for its calming effect.
It's no longer in use today. In the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies desomorphine as a Schedule I substance. This means it has a high potential for misuse without any accepted medical use.
Codeine tablets are available without a prescription in Russia. Inexpensive and readily available substances are combined with the codeine to make the homemade or street version of the drug, krokodil.
Krokodil has been synthesized in Russia for over a decade. Reports have noted that over one million people in Russia use or have used krokodil according to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Krokodil goes by the names of “Cheornaya” in Russia and “Himiya” in Ukraine. Krokodil has lead to thousands of deaths in Russia.
According to the head of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service, the amount of krokodil seized in Russia increased 23-fold between 2009 and 2011. Krokodil use has also been reported in other countries including the Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Germany and Norway.
Previously in Russia and Ukraine, Afghan heroin was the drug of choice when making homemade injectables. Due to a possible Afghan opium crop fungal disease in 2010, the production of opium was 48% lower than the previous year. Therefore, in Europe and Asia, users turned to over-the-counter medications that contained codeine for pain or cough as an ingredient for krokodil.
Codeine is preferred instead of heroin because of lower costs and ease of availability. However, the effects and chemical reactions of the medications also in these codeine products (such as acetaminophen or terpin hydrate) are all unknown when mixed for illegal drug use. In some former Soviet Union regions, officials attribute at least half of all drug-related deaths due to krokodil abuse.
Desomorphine had previously been used medically in Switzerland under the brand name Permonid.
In the U.S., codeine is a controlled substance in various schedules and either requires a prescription or may be available over-the-counter in some states from the pharmacist. The extent of krokodil use in the U.S. is unknown but appears to be minimal.
Content of several people who use, or are under the influence of krokodil:
How is krokodil used?
Krokodil is typically used by the intravenous (IV) route.
According to reports, the drug is fast-acting within 2 to 3 minutes, and 10 to 15 times more potent than morphine, and 3 times as toxic. In fact, when the toxic chemicals are removed, quite often what is left is desomorphine, a compound very similar to heroin.
After a rapid onset, the euphoric effects may last less than 2 hours. Due to the short duration of the "high", many users find themselves in a rapid repitition of drug use to avoid withdrawal symptoms that resemble heroin.
Due to the drug's rapid onset but short duration of action and frequent administration, quick physical dependence may occur.
Drug dependance means that a person needs a drug to function normally. Withdrawal symptoms will occur if the drug is stopped suddenly.
What are the side effects of krokodil?
There have been multiple unconfirmed news reports of users in the United States and Canada who had extreme skin ulcerations, infections, and scale-like skin due to use of Krokodil. The most common complications reported thus far from krokodil injections appears to be serious vein damage, soft tissue infections, necrosis, and gangrene.
According to reports, te localized soft tissue effects occur relatively quickly after the use of krokodil. There have been news reports of amputations. It appears that ulcerations may occur locally at the drug injection site or also at remote areas of the body. There may be further organ or central nervous system damage.
Reported physical health hazards due to krokodil injection use, include:
- Blood vessel damage (thrombophlebitis)
- Open ulcers, gangrene
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Limb amputations
- Pneumonia
- Rotting gums or tooth loss
Blood poisoning (bacteremia)
Meningitis
Need for skin grats and surgery
Blood-borne virus transmission (such as HIV and HCV due to needle sharing)
Bone infections (osteomyelitis) and osteonecrosis
Speech and motor skills impairment
Weight loss and malnourishment
Memory loss and impaired concentration
Liver and kidney damage
Overdose
Powerful respiratory depressant effect (slowed or stopped breathing)
Death
Animal studies in rats have demonstrated cardiac (heart) congestion, necrosis (dead tissue) at the injection site, and kidney toxicity.
Reported behavioral hazards due to krokodil injection use, include:
Withdrawal from social activities, hobbies, or relationships
Neglecting personal hygiene and appearance
Changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or excessive sleep
Mood swings and irritability
Depression and anxiety
Aggression or violent behavior
Financial difficulties or sudden need for money
Secretiveness or dishonesty about whereabouts
Continued drug use despite negative consequences
Engaging in risky behaviors to obtain or use Krokodil
Conclusion
Krokodil, a highly addictive and dangerous drug, has devastating effects on individuals who abuse it. The physical and psychological consequences of krokodil use are severe, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and mental health disorders. The production and use of krokodil are illegal and highly dangerous due to the toxic chemicals used in its synthesis process.
Recognizing the signs of krokodil addiction is crucial in identifying those who need help. By raising awareness about the risks and dangers associated with krokodil use, we can encourage prevention efforts and provide support for those affected by addiction.
Education programs aimed at young people can help prevent experimentation with this harmful substance. Providing access to comprehensive treatment and support options is essential for individuals struggling with krokodil addiction to overcome their addiction effectively.
It is crucial to approach prevention efforts and support for those affected by krokodil addiction with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to breaking the cycle of addiction. By working together, we can combat the spread of this dangerous drug and help individuals live healthy, fulfilling lives free from addiction.
Sources & more articles about krokodil:
https://www.doverecovery.com/blog/krokodil-drug-facts
https://drugabuse.com/drugs/krokodil/
https://www.healthline.com/health/krokodil-desomorphine
https://time.com/4358805/krokodil-deadliest-drug-legacy/?xid=time_socialflow_facebook
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LYNCHBURG, Va. — A Lynchburg man is in custody after police say two people were shot at a Waffle House earlier Sunday morning, according to video and reports.
Lynchburg Police said at 2:58 a.m., officers responded to the Waffle House on Wards Road in reference to a large fight. As officers were en route, 911 calls came in about shots being fired during the incident. When officers arrived on the scene, they found two people with gunshot wounds inside the Waffle House. LPD officers provided aid until medics arrived.
The suspect, identified as Omarian Fitch, drove away in what is believed to be a black Nissan sedan. According to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail, Fitch is only 21 years old.
At approximately 5:00 p.m., LPD officers saw Fitch getting into a vehicle. The officers then chased the car through several city streets, according to LPD. Eventually, police said the car crashed at the intersection of Old Mill Road and McConville Road. Fitch got out of the car and ran away on foot but was caught shortly after.
Omarian Fitch, of Lynchburg, is in custody after police say two people were shot at a Waffle House on April 21, 2024.
Fitch was charged with the following:
Aggravated Malicious Wounding
Malicious Wounding
Reckless Handling of a Firearm
Shooting into an Occupied Building
Property Damage
Use of Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Discharge a Firearm within the City Limit
Shantia Turpin, 22, of Lynchburg, was charged after police say two people were shot at a Waffle House on April 21, 2024.
Lynchburg Police said a second suspect was also arrested Sunday. Shantia Turpin, 22, of
Lynchburg, was charged with the following:
Accessory After the Fact
Felony Eluding Police
Obstruction of Justice
According to LPD, both victims, a 30-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman, are in stable condition. Both individuals are currently being treated at the Lynchburg General Hospital.
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The homeless woman let her head injury go to the extreme. She got an infection, and flesh-eating worms got into her. They literally ate a piece of her brain and blew a hole in her head. That's how she ended up in the hospital. Her fate is unknown, but she probably died.