What you need to know about “pink cocaine”

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The recreational drug called “pink cocaine” has made several headlines recently after it was announced that it played a role in the death of former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.

Pink cocaine, also known as ‘tusi’, is a mixture of several drugs artificially dyed pink. What makes pink cocaine alarming is that it typically does not contain cocaine, but a mixture of other stimulants and opioids. It will most likely contain MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, and opioids, essentially creating what’s known as a “speedball.”

Join Northern Nevada (JTNN) shared how substance and drug trends that start on the East Coast tend to move west and gain popularity. While Washoe County has not seen or seized any pink cocaine, they expect to see it within a year.

JTNN Executive Director Ann-Elizabeth Northan shares how there is also a connection between media coverage of drugs and interest in or use of those same drugs. While it is virtually impossible to prevent all drug use, Northan expresses deep concern about the glorification of drug use in pop culture and the fact that it is increasingly becoming the social norm.

“Most of the colored powders that come in and are seized and examined by our labs are actually fentanyl or contain a mixture of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Pink Cocaine is becoming known as the party drug on the East Coast and so when people are looking for substances like this, they can get fentanyl in our community and the concern is that this would cause a fentanyl overdose and create dangers to our community. ”

Join Together Northern Nevada encourages parents and families to have open conversations with their children about the potential risks and dangers associated with drug use. Northan also suggests that parents become better informed about what the cutting edge trends are in the drug world.

JTNN believes in meeting people where they are and knowing what resources are available in the community. They emphasize that damage control is the most crucial step in the recovery treatment process.

For local and national resources, please visit And https://healthiernv.org/.