Flesh-eating drug Krokodil makes first U.S. appearance (Video)

 

Flesh-eating drug known asKrokodil has turned up in the United States recently. A couple of users of the drug have turned up at the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz. According to ABC News on Sept. 27, Krokodil is the Russian word for "crocodile" and the substance is being used as a less expensiveheroin replacement.

The drug is referred to as “krokodil” because it causes sores, tissue damage and rough, scale-like appearance on the skin.

Flesh-eating drug's appearance has prompted the hospital to contact poison control centers around the country in an attempt to get the word out before it is too late. Some of the agencies contact revealed that they to already have patients suffering the effects of its usage.

According to a report byLiveScience, users show signs of necrosis and gangrene. Amputation of the effected limbs is common.Addicts only tend to live an average of about three years. Even those lucky enough to kick the habit may have brain damage or are severely disfigured. Apparently, over 2,500,000 Russians have sought help with the addiction so far.

The flesh-eating drug is made up of a nasty mixture of codeine and gasoline. It is consumed like heroin by injecting it into the veins. Frighteningly the drug has also been mixed with harmful chemicals like paint thinner, phosphorous and even hydrochloric acid. There are currently no known arrests or criminal cases in the U.S. involving Krokodil yet.