HR0629LRB098 14470 GRL 49186 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Recently there have been reports of the use of the
3horrific drug desomorphine, also known as "krokodil", in the
4State of Illinois; although the first known cases of the drug
5were in Utah and Arizona, at least 3 cases of desomorphine
6possession have been seen in Will County; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Desomorphine is illegal in this State under the
8provisions of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The name "krokodil" comes from the scaly, green
10appearance of a user's skin once gangrene has set in; in some
11cases, the gangrene is so extreme that it causes the user's
12muscles, tendons, and bones to become exposed; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Desomorphine is also known as "the flesh-eating
14drug", as it causes a user's skin to rot from the inside out;
15severe withdrawal and death are other known consequences of the
16use of desomorphine; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Desomorphine is an analog of heroin and is made
18with substances such as gasoline, paint thinner, and lighter
19fluid; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Desomorphine is highly addictive; the addiction

 

 

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1is so strong it is sometimes too powerful to overcome, thus
2desomorphine addicts have a life expectancy of less than 2
3years; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Intensive treatment and skin grafts are often
5required for desomorphine users, but sometimes they are not
6enough to save an addict's limbs or life; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The drug has a similar effect on the brain as
8heroin and has been used as a cheaper, knockoff alternative in
9parts of Russia, where there has been a heroin shortage and
10where the drug is believed to have originated; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The far-too prevalent use of heroin in Illinois,
12especially in the collar counties, is an even greater cause for
13concern; heroin addicts may have developed a tolerance level to
14heroin and are looking for a cheaper drug with a more intense
15high, leading them to turn to desomorphine; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Despite the horrendous and sometimes deadly
17effects of the use of desomorphine, the Drug Enforcement
18Administration does not recognize the use of desomorphine as an
19immediate threat and the agency has indicated they are not
20actively investigating recent reports of the use of the drug;
21and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, In order to prevent further use of desomorphine in
2Illinois, cases cannot be ignored; it is imperative that the
3Drug Enforcement Administration investigates reports of
4desomorphine to stop the spread of the drug throughout Illinois
5and into other states; and
 
6    WHEREAS, It is in the public interest of this State to put
7an end to the illegal use of desomorphine as quickly and
8efficiently as possible; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we urge the Drug Enforcement Administration to recognize the
12use of desomorphine or "krokodil" as an immediate threat and to
13investigate cases of the drug in Illinois to prevent its spread
14and to safeguard the wellbeing of Illinois residents; and be it
15further
 
16    RESOLVED, That this resolution serves as a notice to all
17that desomorphine is illegal in the State of Illinois and urge
18the creators and users of this drug to immediately cease the
19production and use of the drug for the benefit of citizens
20throughout the State; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
22presented to the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement

 

 

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1Administration.