In 2019, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime issued a warning about an emerging threat called pink cocaine, or tucibi. This dangerous, misleadingly named substance has now made its way to the U.S., where many people who use it may have no idea what they are actually putting into their bodies.
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What is Pink Cocaine?
The first thing you should know about pink cocaine is that it’s not cocaine.
This synthetic drug usually contains a variety of dangerous substances, but the lack of any manufacturing standards means that the ingredients can vary widely from one batch to the next.
In a March 2024 Salon article, an anonymous Canadian journalist said that the pink cocaine she encountered while backpacking in Colombia “was like a combination of stuff that dealers had leftover that wasn’t enough to make up a gram but they would combine it and dye it pink and make it marketable and then sell it.”
From 2019-2022, the harm reduction organization Energy Control tested 150 samples of so-called pink cocaine and reported the following:
- 44% of the samples contained a combination of ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and caffeine.
- Two of the 150 tested samples contained cocaine.
- Most of the substances contained a dye that gave it its unique color.
Also, a 2023 article in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse reported that several studies have determined that the most common ingredients in pink cocaine include ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, opioids, and/or “new psychoactive substances.”
Other analyses have also found amphetamine, LSD, mescaline, and various benzodiazepines in pink cocaine samples.
In addition to being called pink cocaine or tucibi, this drug is sometimes also referred to as tusi, 2C, or 2CB. This is a reference to a recreational psychedelic drug called 2C-B (4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine). However, analyses have determined that this psychedelic drug is rarely found in tucibi samples.
To summarize: A drug that is often referred to as pink cocaine or tucibi is unlikely to contain either cocaine or 2C-B. But – as we’ll discuss in greater detail in the next section – it will probably contain several other substances that can cause considerable harm.
Effects of Pink Cocaine
Since this drug can contain such a wide range of substances in varying amounts, it is impossible to accurately describe the effects that every dose will cause. However, we can describe some of the more common types of effects that a person might experience, depending on what’s in the pink cocaine that they ingest.
If the drug contains significant amounts of ketamine or MDMA, the pleasurable effects can include:
- Sedation
- Elevated mood
- Euphoric rush
- Enhanced perceptions
- Increased empathy
- Numbness to pain
- Temporary amnesia
When a person uses pink cocaine that has methamphetamine or cocaine in it, they may experience effects such as:
- Increased wakefulness
- Energy boost
- Elevated confidence and self-esteem
- Rise in body temperature
- Decreased appetite
- Curtailed need for sleep
- Rapid breathing
If benzodiazepines are present in a pink cocaine dose, additional effects could include:
- Diminished inhibitions
- Sleepiness
- Stress relief
- Easing of anxiety
- Impaired coordination
- Disorientation
- Blurred vision
Dangers
Each of the substances that are often present in the tucibi drug can cause a host of distressing side effects. When a person ingests several of these substances at the same time, the intensity and severity of their harmful effects can be magnified.
Depending on what is in a pink cocaine dose, the potential dangers include:
- Dissociation (sense of detachment from one’s body and/or surroundings)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Unhealthy rise in body temperature
- Dehydration
- Damage to liver and kidneys
- Physical injuries due to impaired coordination and cognition
- Cardiovascular damage
- Breathing problems
- Increased risk of being assaulted or otherwise abused
- Exposure to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Panic attacks
- Psychosis
- Seizure
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
While under the influence of pink cocaine, a person may also be prone to poor judgement and impulsivity. These effects can lead to an array of problematic behaviors, such as engaging in unsafe sex, combining tucibi with alcohol and other substances, or driving while impaired.
Where Does Pink Cocaine Come From?
Pink cocaine, or the tucibi drug, appears to have originated in Medellin, Colombia. Before coming to the United States, it first became a popular street or club drug in several European and Central American countries.
The drug can be manufactured relatively easily, and since it doesn’t depend on any indigenous plants or other naturally occurring substances, it can be made virtually anywhere.
Is Pink Cocaine Addictive?
Most of the substances that are commonly included in pink cocaine are addictive, so people who use this drug can develop a substance use disorder (which is the clinical term for addiction).
A person’s risk of becoming addicted to pink cocaine can be influenced by factors such as how long they have been using the drug, how much of the drug they typically use, and which ingredients are present in the doses they have been taking.
Contact Phoenix Rising to Treat Pink Cocaine Addiction
Phoenix Rising Recovery is a trusted provider of life-affirming care for adults who have become addicted to pink cocaine and other dangerous substances. We offer a full continuum of customized programming, including residential rehab and several outpatient options.
When you begin or resume your recovery journey at Phoenix Rising Recovery, you can expect to work in active collaboration with a team of skilled professionals. We will take the time to get to know you as a unique individual, help you set realistic short- and long-term goals, then develop a personalized plan just for you.
To learn more about how we can help you, or to schedule a free assessment for our cocaine rehab programs, please visit our Contact page or call us today. We look forward to answering all your questions and helping you decide if our center is the perfect place for you or a loved one.
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