HR0629 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0629 LRB098 14470 GRL 49186 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Recently there have been reports of the use of the horrific drug desomorphine, also known as "krokodil", in the State of Illinois; although the first known cases of the drug were in Utah and Arizona, at least 3 cases of desomorphine possession have been seen in Will County; and

WHEREAS, Desomorphine is illegal in this State under the provisions of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act; and

WHEREAS, The name "krokodil" comes from the scaly, green appearance of a user's skin once gangrene has set in; in some cases, the gangrene is so extreme that it causes the user's muscles, tendons, and bones to become exposed; and

WHEREAS, Desomorphine is also known as "the flesh-eating drug", as it causes a user's skin to rot from the inside out; severe withdrawal and death are other known consequences of the use of desomorphine; and

WHEREAS, Desomorphine is an analog of heroin and is made with substances such as gasoline, paint thinner, and lighter fluid; and

WHEREAS, Desomorphine is highly addictive; the addiction is so strong it is sometimes too powerful to overcome, thus desomorphine addicts have a life expectancy of less than 2 years; and

WHEREAS, Intensive treatment and skin grafts are often required for desomorphine users, but sometimes they are not enough to save an addict's limbs or life; and

WHEREAS, The drug has a similar effect on the brain as heroin and has been used as a cheaper, knockoff alternative in parts of Russia, where there has been a heroin shortage and where the drug is believed to have originated; and

WHEREAS, The far-too prevalent use of heroin in Illinois, especially in the collar counties, is an even greater cause for concern; heroin addicts may have developed a tolerance level to heroin and are looking for a cheaper drug with a more intense high, leading them to turn to desomorphine; and

WHEREAS, Despite the horrendous and sometimes deadly effects of the use of desomorphine, the Drug Enforcement Administration does not recognize the use of desomorphine as an immediate threat and the agency has indicated they are not actively investigating recent reports of the use of the drug; and

WHEREAS, In order to prevent further use of desomorphine in Illinois, cases cannot be ignored; it is imperative that the Drug Enforcement Administration investigates reports of desomorphine to stop the spread of the drug throughout Illinois and into other states; and

WHEREAS, It is in the public interest of this State to put an end to the illegal use of desomorphine as quickly and efficiently as possible; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Drug Enforcement Administration to recognize the use of desomorphine or "krokodil" as an immediate threat and to investigate cases of the drug in Illinois to prevent its spread and to safeguard the wellbeing of Illinois residents; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this resolution serves as a notice to all that desomorphine is illegal in the State of Illinois and urge the creators and users of this drug to immediately cease the production and use of the drug for the benefit of citizens throughout the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.