RUSSIA The footage shows an intravenous drug user in critical condition. She was using a drug infamously known as krokodil. This is desomorphine, which is a synthetic opioid similar to morphine but much more potent. It is popular with heroin users mainly because of its low price. It has become particularly popular in Ukraine and Russia.
The name “krokodil” comes from the horrific effects the drug has on the human body. With frequent use, it can cause severe skin damage, leading the skin to turn greenish-brown, scaly, and resemble the skin of a crocodile. These skin lesions are caused by the toxic chemicals used in the drug’s production and the method of administration, which is usually through injection.
