HSE warns about unpredictable effects of 'sophisticated-looking party drug' spreading around Irish cities

The brightly coloured powder being sold as 'pink cocaine' is a synthetic drug fused with MDMA and ketamine, but users may have little idea what they are actually taking, according to support services

The HSE itself lists “pink champagne” among the names used for it — however, the main concern is that there is no single substance called pink cocaine. File picture

A “sophisticated-looking party drug” being sold as “pink cocaine” is increasingly appearing in the main cities around the country.

The brightly coloured powder is a synthetic drug fused with MDMA and ketamine, but users may have little idea what they are actually taking, according to support services.

Ciaran Lanigan, a clinical nurse specialist with the HSE in Dublin North City, told the Irish Examiner he is hearing more about the drug among people he encounters through his work with homeless people and those experiencing addiction and mental health difficulties.

Pink cocaine has been sighted around Sheriff Street, East Wall, and Dublin’s north inner city, he said.

Mr Lanigan said the drug is not necessarily cocaine at all.

“It is very much associated with a party scene — pink champagne, pink cocaine, but it is a synthetic drug laced with MDMA and ketamine," he said.

“It is pink in colour, and so it gives people this optical idea that it's going to be like cocaine — but it doesn’t come from the same plant and is mixed with other drugs.

“I am not seeing it being raised as a concern as much as crack itself, but it is appealing to younger people too.

“The drug has been around for some time, but there are concerns that it is becoming more visible among younger people and in the party scene”.

Part of its appeal, he said, is its presentation.

Sold as pink powder and sometimes called pink champagne, tusi or tucibi, it has a branding that can make it sound more like a glamorous party drug than an illicit substance. 

The HSE itself lists “pink champagne” among the names used for it — however, the main concern is that there is no single substance called pink cocaine.

In a statement, the HSE said that pink cocaine is a mixture of drugs and that the contents can change from one batch to another.

It can contain combinations including ketamine and MDMA, while other substances found in different samples can include 2C drugs, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, benzodiazepines and other new psychoactive substances. It may contain no cocaine at all.

That unpredictability of the effects of the drug is one of the major concerns for people working with drug users.

The HSE warns that combining stimulants and depressants can put considerable strain on the body, while users may not know what substances or strength are contained in the powder they have bought.