Pink Cocaine: Growing Concerns Over Deadly Club Drug Trend

• Nov 25, 2024

The rise of "pink cocaine," also known as Tusi, has alarmed health officials and law enforcement, as the drug gains popularity in club scenes and among young people. This synthetic substance, often dyed pink and flavored, is not cocaine but a dangerous cocktail of drugs that can include ketamine and fentanyl.

The drug has gained national attention following a series of high-profile incidents, including the death of music star Liam Payne and other celebrity-related tragedies. However, experts like Joseph Palamar, associate professor at NYU Langone, have been warning about its dangers for over a year.

Warnings Began in 2023

Palamar and his team, part of the National Drug Early Warning System, first identified the rising use of pink cocaine in early 2023 through online discussions. Monitoring platforms like Reddit, they found a significant increase in posts about the drug, doubling to over 30 mentions per day by mid-2023.

“We see patterns emerge in online chatter before widespread poisonings occur,” Palamar explained. “Our goal is to alert health departments, academics, and the public to prevent further use.”

Despite these warnings, the drug’s popularity has grown. Its appeal lies in the unknown effects users seek, from feeling energized to experiencing psychedelic highs. However, the lack of consistency in its composition poses significant risks.

A Deadly Mix of Substances

An analysis by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) found that 99.5% of seized pink cocaine contains ketamine mixed with other substances, including fentanyl. This inconsistency makes it nearly impossible for users to predict the drug's effects, often leading to overdoses and fatalities.

“When people think they’re buying pink cocaine, they’re often getting a mixture laced with fentanyl,” warned Frank Tarantino, a DEA special agent in New York.

One user, who spoke anonymously, admitted testing batches for fentanyl but acknowledged she could never fully know the drug’s contents. “You don’t know what’s in it every time,” she said.

The Growing Threat

Law enforcement and researchers compare the rise of pink cocaine to the synthetic opioid carfentanyl, which caused nearly 80,000 deaths in two years. Health officials are urging the public to avoid the substance, emphasizing its unpredictability and potential lethality.

As awareness grows, authorities hope to curb the use of pink cocaine and prevent further tragedies tied to this deceptive and deadly drug.