From Russia to America: Krokodil

According to USAtoday, in 2013, two cases of the flesh-eating drug known as "krokodil" had been reported in the state of Arizona. Krokodil is a drug that is created through the technique of mixing over-the-counter codeine, iodine, gasoline, paint thinner, and alcohol. Krokodil is chemically known as desomorphine and was created in Russia in an attempt to create a cheap form of heroin. It is thought to be made by approximately 100,000 different people throughout the country. The drug has spread through the countries of Ukraine, Georgia, and other countries in the former Soviet Union. Somehow, just as all Asian drugs do, krokodil made its way to America. Along with the two cases in Arizona, this year (2014), Mexico confirmed that a patient from the United States had used the terrible flesh-eating drug. A 17-year-old woman had told officials of her usage of krokodil, which had given her lesions. The woman's skin had begun to turn green and "scaly" as if she were a crocodile, which is why the drug has the name. The DEA has made many attempts to find and destroy the terrible drug, which has become known as a "poor man's heroine," but they have had little success. I only hope that people learn of this drug and wish to aid the DEA or just simply do not use the drug, or any drug for that matter. 

The effects of krokodil