Originally published on February 21, 2014
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Desomorphine, known as "krokodil" for the scaly, peeling skin it produces in its users, is a synthetic opiate that can be readily synthesized from codeine and a few other ingredients.
Codeine is extracted by dissolving commercially-available codeine tablets with an alkaline detergent and gasoline. Heating codeine with iodine, red phosphorus, a strong acid produces krokodil. Heroine costs from £20 to £60 per hit, according to a report from the Independent, but codeine tablets can be obtained with without prescriptions for £2 per pack.
Soft tissue damage occurs at the site of injection. Damaged tissue form open ulcers that develop infections eventually reaching the bone. Clotting also occurs in damaged blood vessels, causing surrounding tissue to die and rot. Krokodil does not completely dissolve. Its clumps may circulate and do harm to other parts of the body.
Krokodil originated in Russia, where it reports more heroin-users than any other country in the world. Krokodil is many times more potent than heroin.
Typically, heroin-users turn to krokodil temporarily when they run out of money to support their habit. But krokodil produces a shorter high of a couple hours, which requires full-time users to cook it around the clock, according to the Independent.
Krokodil withdrawal can last up to a month, compared to 10 days with heroin. Full-time krokodil users have a life expectancy of less than a year.
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