Preparation:
(1) Codeine pills or liquids are purchased in bulk.
(2) An acid-base extraction is performed using an organic solvent, often gasoline.
(3) The codeine is reduced to desomorphine using iodine and red phosphorus (from match heads).
(4) The acidic solution has its pH raised using cigarette ashes or sodium bicarbonate.
(5) Any particulates are removed by crude filtration through a cigarette filter or cotton wool.
(6) The resulting liquid is a light brown liquid containing desomorphine, codeine and other opiates. This is injected intravenously.
Adverse effects relate to:
(1) exposure to impure chemicals used to prepare the drug
(2) variation in concentration of desomorphine and other opiates
(3) variation in pH
(4) unsanitary conditions of manufacture
(5) sharing of injection supplies between users
