“Pink cocaine,” which is also referred to as “tusi” or “tuci,” is a designer drug associated with various dangerous health risks and altered perceptions. Recent reports indicate that former One Direction member Liam Payne had several substances, including pink cocaine, in his system when he tragically fell from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Toxicology results have revealed a combination of drugs in Payne’s system, with pink cocaine identified as a significant component. Bill Bodner, a former DEA agent, explains that pink cocaine typically contains ketamine, a dissociative drug, along with psychedelic substances. Despite its name, the mixture often does not include actual cocaine but may contain other synthetic drugs like ecstasy, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepines.
The drug gets its name from the bright pink color, which is achieved through food coloring, and it may even have a strawberry flavor. Pink cocaine can be consumed in pill form or inhaled and functions as both a stimulant and depressant. Its affordability and adaptability make it appealing to users.
Originating in Latin American nightclubs as a party drug, pink cocaine has recently garnered attention in legal circles, linked to a lawsuit involving Sean “Diddy” Combs. His former music producer, Rodney Jones, claimed that employees were required to carry a pouch with an assortment of drugs, including pink cocaine.
Experts warn of the serious health implications associated with this drug, emphasizing that users may experience unpredictable behavior. Dr. Brian Hurley, an addiction psychiatrist with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, mentions that the drug’s effects can lead individuals to act in ways they normally would not.
The rise in popularity of pink cocaine, particularly among teens and young adults, has prompted law enforcement and health officials to raise awareness. With the influence of social media, they caution that even those in seemingly isolated areas are exposed to the open availability of street drugs.