Krokodil hype: Is toxic 'flesh-eating' street drug in Canada?
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Summary
The article is meant to inform citizens in Canada about a new street drug currently being sold as well as warn them about some of the severe consequences when injected into one's body. For instance, the article comments on the origins of the "Zombie Drug" (Davison, 2013) and explains that it originated from Russia 10 years ago. Formally known as Krokodil, this drug was named after the Russian word, crocodile, due to its side effect turning addicts skin scaly, rough, and in some cases, green (Davison, 2013). The author also stresses the fact that the police are putting a vast majority of their efforts into stopping the distribution of this cheap drug on the streets of Canada. In addition, the article also mentions some of the struggles the police are facing with finding samples of the drug in order to synthesize a cure. The article concludes with reminding readers that this drug is harmful and, again, states some of the extreme side effects from usage.
Personal Opinion
In my opinion, I think this drug is interesting to study and read about. I find it fascinating to learn about some unknown vaccine one might inject themselves with that causes one's skin to rot and harden. I imagine that the drug might have some sort of parasite in it causing such a side effect and my fear is that the drug might evolve and become the next plague. It also frightens me because bio-weaponry has advanced at an extremely fast rate and if, for example, terrorists find a way to create a weapon out of this drug, humans could become an endangered species. Lastly, the contents of this article make me wonder what possessed addicts to take such a drug, knowing full well of the physical and emotional costs of doing so. Personally, it would be interesting to see the neurological works behind it as well as In short, I find this article fascinating because I want to know how this unique drug works as well as what the users are thinking when injecting it but I also find it frightening because of the threats it enforces on civilians both in present day as well as the future.
Relevance to Genetics
Homeostasis is involved with this article because the drug is blocking neurological pathways in the body. Much like we learned in class, certain drugs can block specific neuropaths. For example, I hypothesize that one pathway this drug blocks is directly correlated to providing skin cells with the necessary requirements for survival such as water. Due to this shortage, the cells begin to die off, hence, causing the skin to rot. This basic knowledge of how neurotransmitters are used to signal nerves in order to maintain homeostasis in the body is all directly from the notes studied during biology class.
The article is meant to inform citizens in Canada about a new street drug currently being sold as well as warn them about some of the severe consequences when injected into one's body. For instance, the article comments on the origins of the "Zombie Drug" (Davison, 2013) and explains that it originated from Russia 10 years ago. Formally known as Krokodil, this drug was named after the Russian word, crocodile, due to its side effect turning addicts skin scaly, rough, and in some cases, green (Davison, 2013). The author also stresses the fact that the police are putting a vast majority of their efforts into stopping the distribution of this cheap drug on the streets of Canada. In addition, the article also mentions some of the struggles the police are facing with finding samples of the drug in order to synthesize a cure. The article concludes with reminding readers that this drug is harmful and, again, states some of the extreme side effects from usage.
Personal Opinion
In my opinion, I think this drug is interesting to study and read about. I find it fascinating to learn about some unknown vaccine one might inject themselves with that causes one's skin to rot and harden. I imagine that the drug might have some sort of parasite in it causing such a side effect and my fear is that the drug might evolve and become the next plague. It also frightens me because bio-weaponry has advanced at an extremely fast rate and if, for example, terrorists find a way to create a weapon out of this drug, humans could become an endangered species. Lastly, the contents of this article make me wonder what possessed addicts to take such a drug, knowing full well of the physical and emotional costs of doing so. Personally, it would be interesting to see the neurological works behind it as well as In short, I find this article fascinating because I want to know how this unique drug works as well as what the users are thinking when injecting it but I also find it frightening because of the threats it enforces on civilians both in present day as well as the future.
Relevance to Genetics
Homeostasis is involved with this article because the drug is blocking neurological pathways in the body. Much like we learned in class, certain drugs can block specific neuropaths. For example, I hypothesize that one pathway this drug blocks is directly correlated to providing skin cells with the necessary requirements for survival such as water. Due to this shortage, the cells begin to die off, hence, causing the skin to rot. This basic knowledge of how neurotransmitters are used to signal nerves in order to maintain homeostasis in the body is all directly from the notes studied during biology class.
References
Davison, J. (2013, November 25). Krokodil hype: Is toxic 'flesh-eating' street drug in Canada? Retrieved December 28, 2013, from CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/krokodil-hype-is-toxic-flesh-eating-street-drug-in- canada-1.2435122