Krokodil, Flesh-Eating Drug, Cases Reported In Illinois

Krokodil, the flesh-rotting drug, has expanded its reach: three cases were reported and treated in the Chicago suburb of Joliet.

Krokodil, a heroine alternative that has spread across Russia, was first reported to have reached the U.S. in Arizona in September. The drug, made from codeine and gasoline or paint thinner, eats away at the user’s body, and shortens life expectancy to about two years.

Krokodil is known for its nasty side-effect of causing skin to rot and die, commonly leading to amputation and other problems – eventual death.

“It is a horrific way to get sick. The smell of roteen flesh permeates the room. Intensive treatment and skin grafts are required, but they often are not enough to save limbs or lives,” said Dr. Abhin Singla, who treated Krokodil users at the Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet where the three Krokodil cases were reported.

Despite the reports of cases in Arizona and Illinois, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is not investigating Krokodil’s presence in the US.

“We, the DEA, are not seeing cases of it. Nothing’s been turned into any of our labs. As far as the DEA is concerned, we have not seen any cases,” DEA spokeswoman Dawn Dearden told Fox News.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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