KROKODIL: THE RUSSIAN FLESH-EATING DRUG

A dangerous flesh-eating drug popular in Russia and the Ukraine may have made its way to the United States according to a number of recent news reports. Desomorphine, commonly known as Krokodil, is a cheap derivative of morphine that often leaves its victims with rotting, scaly skin akin to the flesh of the living dead. These early symptoms are quickly followed by gangrene and eventually necrosis.

Five people were hospitalized in the Chicago suburb of Joliet, Illinois earlier this month with symptoms that led one doctor to describe Krokodil as a “zombie drug” that “literally kills you from the inside out”. In addition to the the horrible physical effects of the drug, its users often display a singular and constant zombie-like craving for their next fix.

In Russia, users frequently are young people with relatively short drug histories, the study found. 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.

Many reports of this terrifying drug remain unconfirmed by the D.E.A. which led Business Insider reporter Adam Taylor to write a recent article explaining why the idea of a Krokodil epidemic in the United States is an unlikely scenario. However, if there’s one thing that the zombie genre has taught us… it’s that a dangerous virus is rarely contained. The illicit nature of these drugs helps it spread across national, social and economic boundaries.

Thankfully this zombie-like epidemic is self-inflicted, for the time being. Meanwhile you can educate yourself on the dangers of Krokodil by reading the original article online by Jen Christensen at CNN or viewing the video embedded below. But be warned; the images contained in this report are very graphic in nature. Please be advised.