Health expert fears "zombie-eating flesh-eating drug" arrives on Australian streets – Xinhua

SYDNEY, June 20 (Xinhua) – Although there has never been any official reports on the illegal substance Krokodil in Australia, a health expert said Thursday that the devastating drug was already in the air. streets.

Krokodil, often referred to as the most dangerous street drug in the world, takes its name from the fact that it can cause severe ulcers and give the user 's skin a scaly appearance, such as that of an eye catcher. a crocodile.

Principal researcher at Charles Sturt University and national research director for the nonprofit drug and alcohol support network, Lives Lived Well, Julaine Allan said in an article in The Conversation on Thursday that she knew at least one case where the drug was used down under.

"A young man recently went to a drug and alcohol service in rural New South Wales (NSW) to seek help because He said he injected the drug Krokodil, "he said.

Eight to ten times more potent than morphine, Krokodil is no longer used in medical practice since the 1980s. It is mainly manufactured 'at home', under non-sterilized conditions with toxic cutting agents such as 'thinner' for paint, gasoline, red match spikes and hydrochloric acid ". . "

"Krokodil is a street name for the desomorphine, a semi-synthetic drug that has effects similar to those of heroin and morphine.This is called semi-synthetic because it has was created in a chemical process, but it is mainly made from a drug, usually codeine, the opium poppy, "explained Allan.

"Long-term effects may include blood clots, swollen veins, severe tissue damage, skin infections, and muscles that cause black or green scaly skin around injection sites," he says. insomnia, exhaustion, physical and psychological dependence, memory loss, speech problems, gangrene and death. "

With police, health officials and a range of addiction monitoring programs across the country, authorities are seeking to stem the spread of the "zombie meat-eating drug," said Allan, saying its use would still be extremely isolated in Australia.

"The appearance of Krokodil in rural New South Wales probably has more to do with an enterprising drug dealer offsetting an opioid shortage than a widespread use and manufacture of the drug. . "