Two suspected Krokodil use cases surface in Arizona
Krokodil, the heavily addictive and destructive combination with the drug desomorphine, is believed to have surfaced in Arizona, according to Phoenix toxicologists Thursday.
The AZ Central reported that two people hospitalized in the past week in the Phoenix area exhibited symptoms consistent with krokodil use, although that has yet to be confirmed, officials say.
“We’ve had two cases this past week that have occurred in Arizona,” Dr. Frank LoVecchio, the co-medical director at Banner’s Poison Control Center, told KLTV. “As far as I know, these are the first cases in the United States that are reported. So we’re extremely frightened.”
“This is really frightening,” Dr. Aaron Skolnik, a toxicologist at Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center told MyFoxPhoenix.com. “This is something we hoped would never make it to the U.S. because it’s so detrimental to the people who use it.”
Krokodil seems to be a mixture of several substances and was first used in Siberia, Russia in 2003, with a tremendous increase in the number of addicted individuals since then. The psychoactive core agent of Krokodil is desomorphine, an opioid-analogon that can be manufactured by boiling tablets containing codeine and other ingredients.
The other ingredients used in concocting Krokodil include mixed with iodine, paint thinner, gasoline, alcohol or oil.
The procedure results in a suspension that is used intravenously and regularly causes complications such as abscess, thrombophlebitis, and gangrene.
It’s called “Krokodil” because it destroys skin tissue when injected, giving you scaly, green rotting sores and abscesses that resemble crocodile skin.
Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service reported seizing 65 million doses during the first three months of 2011.
Anyone who has used or knows someone who has used Krokodil is encouraged to contact a drug rehab center in Arizona immediately. Professionals are standing by to help those who have come into contact with this, or any other, addictive drug to give them the help that they need.
A variety of different treatment options are available and those with questions regarding recovery or anything else should contact a center to put themselves on the path to healing.
Remember that taking this or any other addictive drug can have major consequences for one’s health and, therefore, seeking the proper treatment is essential.