Internal Drug Warfare?
T he U.S. may have a new problem on its hands aside from the much hyped government shutdown through the emergence of a deadly drug called desomorphine, or its more common street name krokodil (pronounced crocodile) given for its tendency to turn skin black and scaly. While this drug has been around in Russia for quite some time, it has just recently made its appearance in states such as Illinois, Utah, Oklahoma, and Arizona as many people have been reported with the following incriminating effects, "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." Though many are unsure as to how it has made its way into America, the largest reason driving its consumption is clear: price. It boasts a high similar to the drug heroin but at nearly 1/3 of the price, leading many officials to believe that this is merely the tip of the iceberg. The price will not only make krokodil more accessible to the general public, but its believed that many heroin users will find refuge from the financial battle of heroin in its low prices without regard for it's zombie-like effects.
The biggest question that needs to be asked is how this drug's new emergence will effect the already failing war on drugs. Since 1990, drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin have seen a drastic drop in price, which ultimately proves their abundance in spite of the government's attempt to prohibit their use (Drug prohibition is a Global Folly). While the government has made efforts to control these dangerous drugs, there is an emphasized need to control his horrifying drug due to its fatal and dramatic effects on public health, and what these effects would do to public safety. Without control, this drug could easily become a hostile form of drug warfare on the country's own people. With these concerns in mind, what steps will the U.S. take to ensure the safety of its citizens from the corruption and violence that goes hand and hand with the illegal use of drugs?
Main Story:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/16/health/krokodil-zombie-drug/index.html?hpt=us_c2
Information used:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/04/opinion/carpenter-drug-war/index.html
This drug seems terrifying, although I;m sure it will be pretty easy to spot those who have used it for it's heroin-like effects. I feel like for such effects the drug should be much more powerful than just heoine. Scary stuff.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that this drug has made its way to America. Krokodil has already ruined countless lives in Russia. The people who use this drug are in a very bad place and almost all already heavy opiate users before they switch. This addiction, coupled with the fact that Krokodil is very easily made with household ingredients, could end up causing a very dangerous situation.
ReplyDeleteI think keeping drugs illegal is just furthering the problem heroin users are going to do heroin whether it's illegal or not. And drugs are going to make their way into our country no mater what. Instead of blowing massive amounts of funds to try and accomplish the impossible, why not direct that money towards harm reduction programs and rehabilitation programs. It's sad that Americans have to resort to something as terrible as Krokodil. If the safety and health of US citizens was really the governments priority here they would be trying to help these people, not punish them