I read that krokodil is less expensive than heroin (I think it was in one of the linked articles, possibly in the other thread.)
It’s less expensive in Siberia, where codeine is over the counter. Maybe not so much in the US, where it’s prescription only. Can’t say I’ve really analyzed the matter, and wouldn’t know where to begin anyhow.
Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t krokodil-equivalents yet to be discovered that can be made with OTC ingredients in the US. It’s not exactly a high standard that needs to be achieved when “melts the flesh off your bones” isn’t a deal-breaker.
As of tonight up to 5 people in Joliet, Illinois are in the hospital due to krokodil use. Apparently, the did not cook it up themselves. It was sold to them as heroin, the difference not being apparent until bits of the users rotted up and fell off.
Some people are just evil.
This drug renders the Chinese puzzle box (for raising hell) obsolete.
It looks like maybe the impending epidemic in the US was overblown: Slate article.
Here’s hoping that’s the case.