Is Pink Cocaine the New Club Drug?
Dealers are marketing pink cocaine as a โnewโ drug to club goers.
Pink cocaine (or tusi) is a dyed pink powder, but despite its name, it does not contain much cocaine. The hot pink color comes from food dye or colored baking powder to distinguish it from cocaine or methamphetamines. Like MDMA or ecstasy, pink cocaine is a mind-altering hallucinogenic drug, although the effects and mixtures of drugs differ with each batch.ย According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it may smell sweet, taste like strawberry, and is made up of a grab bag of drugs, including combinations of:
- Ketamine* and MDMA
- Cocaine and fentanyl*
- Fentanyl and xylazine
- Methanmphetime, ketamine, and MDMA
Is Pink Cocaine the New Club Drug?
“Dealers are marketing pink cocaine as a โnewโ drug and catering to the polydrug user population.” DEA: What is Pink Cocaine?
Pink cocaine is typically found in urban areas with thriving nightclub scenes like New York and Miami. The “stylish” color and wide-ranging reactions to each batch make it popular with young clubgoers. This drug has hallucinogenic properties, unlike the purely stimulant effects of cocaine. Clubgoers experience euphoria, psychedelic experiences, altered sensory perception, and mood swings.
Why is Pink Cocaine Dangerous?
A batch of pink cocaine may cause euphoria. Still, the adverse effects can include anxiety, increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature, nausea and vomiting, and even seizures and coma. The biggest problem is that the concoction may be contaminated with unknown drugs or fillers such as opioids and bathe salts. The unanticipated effects and potential for overdose can be dangerous or deadly. The long-term effects can include behavioral changes, anxiety, depression, risk of stroke, heart problems, and addiction.
Prevention Tips from Poison Control
- Do not use street drugs or other illicit substances.
- Naloxone administration saves lives – learn how to administer naloxone and keep it handy if possible.
- Learn to perform CPR in case of emergency.
- Treatment is available for substance addiction. Treatment is the best way to prevent an overdose from happening.
*Ketamine and fentanyl, under medical supervision, are efficacious for chronic or severe pain and treatment for depression.
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