Real life horror stories...

[thistlechaser]

Millions of people are addicted to a drug that literally eats them alive.

There's a new drug, Krokodil, made from codeine, gasoline, paint thinner, hydrochloric acid, iodine, and red phosphorous (from matchstick heads).

...once injected it begins eating the user’s body from the inside out, causing blood vessels to burst and surrounding tissue to die. Essentially a corrosive acid with opiate effects

Krokodil gets its name because users develop scaly skin like a crocodile.

How about more disturbing Krokodil images for a Friday morning? "What was first thought to be a horrific STD infection turned out to be the effects of the 17-year old injecting krokodil directly into her genitals."

The article reports it's unlikely to become a common drug in America, but that makes it no less horrifying.

Comments

[indigo-forest.livejournal.com]

It is common enough, being sold as heroin here.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Oh ack, I didn't know that.

[bacchuslives.livejournal.com]

It's actually not new, it's been around for about 100 years. I wouldn't think it would be much of a problem anywhere given the ready availability of other illicit opioids... Most or all of the ingredients you listed for the synthesis are also used for the illicit manufacture of many other street drugs, which is why illegal drug labs have a nasty tendency of exploding.

In NY there is a huge effort to crack down on prescription narcotic crime. The only downside I see to that is that legitimately manufactured narcotics aren't inherently toxic like stuff made with solvents and other ingredients from the local hardware store...junkies will be forced to turn to less safe alternatives. Although I would imagine opioid seekers would be able to get heroin (diacetylmorphine) pretty easily.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's why they said it's not common in America -- we have better illegal drugs cheaper. (Go us?)

I know it opens a kettle of fish, but if it were up to me, drugs (and prostitution) would be legal. If someone has to have drugs, let's let them have something that won't melt their flesh. We can also make sure they have access to clean needles and such, too.

[bacchuslives.livejournal.com]

Go us indeed... If I were to guess, I'd say the primary reason that it isn't big here is because codeine isn't very easily available. In lots of countries codeine is available over the counter and it's the starting point for the synthesis of the "krokodil". If memory serves, when you make the stuff right it's a heck of a good drug and is manufactured commercially in some countries. Can't remember though, that was a lecture a long time ago.

[bacchuslives.livejournal.com]

And I don't completely disagree with the legalization argument. There are some baby steps, even here in over regulated NY state there is at least a program to get safe needles (even though it's still illegal to possess them...we love to contradict ourselves in drug regulations)

[loup_noir]

It's a huge problem in Russia and the former USSR. Fascinating reading in an "ewwww" way.

Makes you wonder why anyone would try such a thing, when the consequences are well known. Of course, I don't get meth, either. Or most other drugs. Except coffee. And good single-malt whiskey.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I have no idea why anyone would try it, but I suppose I'm not in the position to know.

I try hard not to pester authors, but I can resist no longer! How's Informatziya coming? You haven't mentioned it in a while. :)

[ashmedai.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with your above comment that less dangerous drugs should be legal, and that addicts aren't criminalized. Holland, for example, created facilities called "safe injection sites" that provide addicts with heroin, cocaine and their derivatives, in safe doses, as well as sterile needles, alcohol wipes and so on. Now everything is different and not criminalizing addicts not only got many people off the street, it lowered the death toll from overdose and other factors, the risk of HIV, hepatitis-C, and had many other effects that are beneficial to society as a whole.

I've read many horrifying articles on Krokodil, and it really is unthinkably horrible. But part of me also understands that when an addict can't afford, or access, heroin, he'll be apt to use it. Especially if life just isn't worth living anymore in his eyes because everything revolves around getting the next fix. Addictions have been around for as long as humanity has been around, and always will be. These people need help though, and if they're gonna use, they're gonna use. At least give them as much safety as possible, I say, and keep them from succumbing to shit like Krokodil. And don't throw them behind bars for a "crime" that isn't one. Most hard drug users I've met want desperately to be able to quit and dream of having a normal life; they didn't ask for this, just slipped into it, and as a former addict of a couple drugs and alcohol, I know how easy that is. You're in over your head before you realize it, and it seldom ends well.

Sorry for the sermon...it's just a topic I feel strongly about.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yep. We could save money (which is important to many people in power), but more important improve lives by making these things legal. But oh no! We can't get over our war on drugs!

I totally agree with everything you said.

[ashmedai.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's like that here too. Consumption is legal, but not buying, selling or anything like that. I guess they think it drops out of the sky or something. It's just a way to appease us that say "legalize it" and still keep it, de facto, illegal. I actually hate any laws that regulate what a person chooses to do with his own body. That's nobody's business, and hasn't helped change anything. But the lawmakers still pretend playing governess is going to change human nature's predisposition to drug use.

I'm just watching a docu I found on the site you linked about Krokodil and living conditions of some people in Sibera. It's hard to watch. They're living in places we wouldn't leave a stray dog in without rescuing it. *sighs*

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I actually hate any laws that regulate what a person chooses to do with his own body.

Same. They drive me crazy. If I want to cut off all my hair, all my fingers, or jump off a bridge, it should be my right. (However, if I land on a car after jumping out a window, they should take whatever money it costs to repair the car and help anyone in it from whatever money I have left.)

[ashmedai.livejournal.com]

Yup, agree. Not that I'd ever jump off a bridge, but from talking to people who've been suicidal, I'm slowly learning to be sensitive to their dilemma. Like learning I don't have a right to say "don't do it". Which gives me a dilemma too, since I don't want them to, and at the same time know now it's not about me at all. But I slowly see it's their right to decide if life is too intolerable to live any longer.

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

How horrific, I've never heard of it before, don't know if it's used here in Australia, I sure hope not!