First Briton falls prey to Russians’ f lesh-eating drug
A TERRIFYING new drug more powerful than heroin has arrived on the streets of the UK.
A 41-year-old woman has become the first named British user of the substance, ‘krokodil’.
The drug – chemical name desomorphine – has been branded the world’s deadliest due to its side-effects. The substance, which first appeared in Russia, is highly addictive and can be ‘cooked’ up in a domestic kitchen. Those injecting the drug can develop ulcers, infections, gangrene and grey, flaky skin which looks like crocodile scales, giving the drug its street name. Emma Davies, of Tredworth, Gloucestershire, suffered open sores after using the substance. She was unable to attend Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court last August because she was being treated in hospital. The court heard a ‘rather unpleasant blood infection caused large ulcers on her arms’.
As Davies appeared in court this week to admit theft, her barrister, Clare Buckley, revealed the toll of her drug abuse. She said that after years of taking Class A drugs and krokodil, Davies had two heart attacks last year, as well as a stroke, hepatitis C and deep vein thrombosis. She also has scarred lungs and recently recovered from MRSA.
The barrister told the court: ‘She is aware if she continues the way she is going she will meet an early demise, which would be very sad.’
Reports suggest krokodil use began in Russia in 2002. It spread to America in 2013. The drug is around three times cheaper to produce than heroin and only takes half an hour to make, but a high lasts a maximum of only two hours. As a
‘She will meet an early demise’
result users take it more often, causing serious problems.
Dr Mateen Durrani, of UK Addiction Treatment, said: ‘It’s a very nasty drug. It’s cheap, so that’s why people use it, but it has a quicker physical dependence and the physical complications are more severe.’
Davies was in court after she and another woman, Marsha Woodwart, were caught shoplifting more than £900 of goods from three Gloucester stores.
Presiding justice Peter Liver handed Davies a 12-month community order including 30 days in rehab. She was ordered to pay £220. Woodwart was put on a six-month rehab programme and given a fine at an earlier court date.