Police confirm flesh-eating zombie drug Krokodil is in Australia

A dangerous drug that has a zombie-like effect on its users has reached Victoria, with a rehab centre sharing a grisly image of its side effects as a warning to all Australians.

A feared flesh-eating “zombie drug” has hit Australian shores.

Krokodil, also known as desomorphine, is a potentially deadly synthetic drug previously seen in the US and Russia.

But now police have confirmed that it is in Victoria and local drug users have reported using it.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said police intelligence confirmed desomorphine was in the state, but stressed it made up a very small part of Victoria’s overall drug market.

“These are synthetic opioids similar to morphine and have attracted some use in the drug market,” he said.

The Facebook post Dara rehab used to warn Krokodil is in Australia. It says some of its patients believe they have accidentally used in Australia.

Australian-owned Dara Rehab in Thailand last week warned Krokodil had officially reached Australia.

They warned recently treated clients had reported side-effects consistent with taking Krokodil, even though it had been sold to them as something else.

“Krokodil is a drug as violent as the name implies. Also known as the ‘zombie drug’ the use of Krokodil has officially reached Australia,” Dara said in a Facebook post.

A ‘homemade’ opiate-based drug cocktail that has a zombie-like effect on users, Krokodil commonly causes severe tissue damage and gangrenous infection.

Dara boss Darren Lockie said some of his Australian clients had spoken of suffering side-effects which led them to believe they had used Krokodil rather than the drug they thought they had bought.

“None of them were looking for Krokodil specifically. What happens with drugs like this is people can often purchase them thinking that they are other substances, like heroin,” he said.

Dara rehab chief Darren Lockie says Australians who believe they have used Krokodil should see medical help immediately.

In June this year a young man presented at a regional New South Wales hospital with an arm infection after reportedly using Krokodil.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services said it was aware of the New South Wales case but had not heard similar reports of Krokodil-related infections in Victoria.

The short-term effects of Krokodil include euphoria, shallow breathing and swelling at the injection site. Long-term effects can include blood clots, swollen veins, skin and muscle infections that cause black or green scaly skin, exhaustion, memory loss, speech problems and gangrene.

Mr Lockie said fear of criminal repercussions and public shaming often resulted in people keeping medical problems following illicit drug use to themselves, but anyone who suspected they had used Krokodil should seek medical help immediately.

“Don’t wait for infection or internal organ problems,” he said.

The photo Australian-owned Thai rehab Dara posted on Facebook to warn the flesh-eating zombie drub Krokodil is in Australia.

Mr Lockie said only a small number of his clients had reported Krokodil use and he does not believe Australia is at risk of a Krokodil epidemic.

“Methamphetamine is a lot more accessible and a bigger threat and Krokodil is predominantly used as a cheaper alternative to drugs like heroin,” Mr Lockie said.

In its Facebook warning, Dara said Krokodil had “made its way across several continents”.

“The flesh-eating drug leaves the user in a zombie-like state that is horrible to watch,” it said. “Krokodil is not only damaging to the entire body, it’s deadly.”

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Deputy chief executive of the Penington Institute Dr Stephen McNally said all opioids had the potential to cause harm.

“People who use krokodil often also use other opioids, which increases risks,” he said. “All Australians deserve to be fully informed about these risks and the drugs that are present in their community.”

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