Officers in Utah seize possible Krokodil “Zombie” drug
A recent Utah Weber/Morgan Narcotic strike force drug bust found almost 20 pounds of methamphetamine and the “zombie drug” also known as “krokodil” in a man’s home in West Valley City. Although the substance believed to be krokodil has not officially been proven as such, if it is in fact the “zombie drug,” it will be of “great concern that such a large supply is available right here in Utah” according to Utah agencies.
Officials first started seeing the flesh-eating “zombie drug” in Utah back in 2013. Health officials in the state indicate that there have been two cases in Utah they believe are tied to the drug. CNN reports that “this extremely addictive injectable opioid is called krokodil (pronounced like crocodile) or desomorphine.” Doctors around the country are seeing more effects from the zombie drug; including Dr. Abhin Singla. Recently, Singla reported that he treated a woman who was suffering from krokodil addiction. The woman lost a significant portion of her legs due to the drug he said. “It’s a zombie drug — it literally kills you from the inside out,” Singla said. “If you want way to die, this is a way to die.”
Krokodil causes serious damage to the veins and soft tissue infections, rapidly followed by gangrene and necrosis. The soft tissue damage mostly happens around the injection site. The drug also seems to clump in the veins as it fails to dissolve completely in the blood. The clumps make their way to distant places in the body and begin to damage tissue.
Although it’s not clear how widely used the drug is in the US, reports show that the use is rising, and the fact that it could be hitting closer to home in Utah is especially of concern. The fact that krokodil is cheaper than heroin and can be easily cooked up in someone’s home much like meth makes it easier to create than some other drugs. Also, people making krokodil sometimes combine the painkiller codeine with easily available chemicals. They can use iodine; strong alkalies such as Mr. Muscle, a kitchen and bathroom cleaner; hydrochloric acid; red phosphorous from matches; and/or organic solvents such as gasoline or paint thinner, according to recent studies. Further, mortality rates are high among users. Medical help is often only sought after users are in the late stages of their addiction and end up with severe mutilations, rotting gums, bone infections, decayed structure of the jaw and facial bones, sores and ulcers on the forehead and skull as well as rotting ears, noses and lips and liver and kidney problems.
Often the “zombie” drug is believed to be heroin; individuals don’t know how dangerous what they are purchasing really is. “I think it’s the tip of the iceberg; I think it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better,” said Dr. Singla, the addiction specialist. “I think if it (krokodil) stays on the market long enough, you’re going to have people who are desperate addicts that can’t support their heroin habit but can utilize this drug, not really caring about the consequences, and get the same high for a third of the price.”
Sources: Fox News Utah, CNN
The short half-life of the drug means a user’s attention is narrowed to the “process of acquiring and preparing and administering the drug, leaving little time for matters other than avoiding withdrawal and chasing (the) high,” according to one medical study, hence its reputation for creating “zombies.”
Binges on the drug reportedly last over several days. During the binge, a user can show irrational behavior and experience sleep deprivation and exhaustion, memory loss and speech problems.
According to the Joliet hospital, the five people brought in who may have used krokodil said they thought they were buying heroin.