Kaylah Walton
A new trend in illicit drugs, known as “pink cocaine” or “tusi,” has emerged in New York City, with notable figures like Diddy reportedly using this substance.
As accessibility to the internet increases, drug trends evolve as individuals learn to create modified versions of traditional street drugs.
Experts and law enforcement sources shed light on the nature of ‘Pink Cocaine’ and its implications.
The Origin of ‘Pink Cocaine’ in New York City
Originating in Latin America, tusi is a playful phonetic derivative of “2C,” a category of psychedelic drugs popular in nightlife circles.
Contrary to its name, tusi is primarily a mix of ketamine and various narcotics such as MDMA, methamphetamine, opioids, and occasional traces of cocaine, as indicated by Joseph Palamar, a population health expert at NYU Langone.
Described as a “cheap club drug” by Ray Donovan, former DEA operations chief, it stands out due to its cost-effectiveness compared to cocaine.
The notable pink color of tusi is attributed to food coloring, making it visually distinct but creating a level of unpredictability in its composition.
Being a new entrant in the nightclub scene, the formulation of tusi can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer.
Concerns Regarding Synthetic Drugs
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) like tusi are created to imitate familiar drugs such as cannabis and cocaine but differ chemically, potentially avoiding detection in current drug screenings, posing a safety risk to users.
Ingredients and Risks of Pink Cocaine
- Pink cocaine may contain additional components:
- Caffeine
- Benzodiazepines (benzos)
- Bath salts (stimulant type)
- Mescaline, LSD, or other hallucinogens
There are concerns about potential fentanyl inclusion in some tusi batches, although further research is needed to determine the prevalence of this potent opioid in pink cocaine.
