Scottish social workers on lookout for deadly krokodil

Councils are warning staff to be on the lookout for signs of a deadly flesh-eating drug.

The lethal substance nicknamed krokodil has already killed thousands of addicts in Russia and eastern Europe.

Its name comes from the Russian for crocodile because it turns addicts’ skin scaly before their flesh rots.

Made from melting down headache pills, petrol and bleach, people who inject it often die within two years.

The drug has been seized in several other countries, including the US, but not yet the UK.

However, a number of local authorities have urged social workers to stay vigilant for signs.

Anxious officials in areas including Glasgow, Shetland, West Dunbartonshire, South Ayrshire and Argyll and Bute, have issued warning letters to staff.

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “The city’s addiction services are aware of the existence of krokodil, a poorly made form of desomorphine often used in eastern Europe.”

Christine Duncan, of Scottish Families Affected by Drugs and Alcohol, said that while krokodil has yet to be found to be in Scotland, it does pose a threat. She said: “Krokodil is something we are aware of but have not yet met anyone affected by it.

“That could easily change. New drugs and legal highs are appearing on the market all the time.

“My advice to anyone thinking about using any homemade or unknown drug is simply not to do it.

“Anything concocted outside a laboratory, like krokodil, is untested and potentially lethal. What makes these drugs so dangerous is that no-one knows exactly what is in them.

“That obviously puts any user at a major risk, but also makes what they’ve taken even more deadly because doctors not knowing what they are dealing with have to take more time establishing what caused any bad turn. And that delay endangers lives.”