1st Gen Earliest opportunity for the Ditto glitch?

[Shrew]

I haven't started my game nor ever played Red/Blue before. I want to use the Ditto glitch as early as possible to get an Ekans. I read that Ditto show up on Routes 13, 14, 15, and 23 and Cerulean Cave, where Route 13 would be the earliest out of these five options. That would be nearly halfway through the game though. But with other glitches such as making Snorlax disappear or any others, would I be able to have access to a Ditto (or a pokemon with a special of 108) sooner?

I have a friend who can loan me a pokemon with a special stat of 108, but no friends with an Ekans. I'd also consider generating a Sandshrew instead of an Ekans if that would be any sooner, although I'm more interested in buying Blue version.
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Cerulean_Cave