What is tusi (pink cocaine)?

Tusi, sometimes called tuci, tucibi, pink cocaine or pink powder, is in the news after it was reportedly found in Liam Payne’s system following his tragic death in Argentina.

While tusi is relatively uncommon in Aotearoa, it has shown up at drug checking clinics, so we thought it’d be timely to explain what it is, its effects, and how to stay safer.

What is tusi?

Tusi isn’t a single drug but a mixture of various different drugs. Despite its names, it usually doesn’t contain cocaine or 2C-B.

Tusi is commonly a blend of ketamine, MDMA, and caffeine, but drug checking has shown it can also contain other drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and new psychoactive substances (NPS).

It often comes as a pink powder, but we’ve seen it show up as other colours, too.

Tusi originated in South America, but has been growing in popularity around the world, so High Alert says it’s likely we’ll continue to see it here in Aotearoa.

Is tusi the same as 2C-B?

No.

It’s confusing, but despite their names sounding the same, tusi is not 2C-B (which is part of the 2C family).

There’s some speculation that tusi was designed to mimic 2C-B – both have a mix of psychedelic and stimulant effects. However, they are completely different substances and it’s important to treat them differently when thinking about ways to stay safer.

What are the effects?

Because tusi is a mixture of different drugs—including depressants, psychedelics, and stimulants—its effects can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

This mix can also make it very difficult to dose, as it’s hard to know the exact amounts of each drug that are in a tusi mixture. The mixture is also likely to be different across a single batch.

The drugs in tusi can also mask the effects of each other, which can mean you don’t realise how intoxicated you are.

How can I stay safer if I’m using tusi?

Get it checked!

Drug checking is always important, but it’s especially important for tusi given the wide range of drugs that it can contain.

Drug checking is free, legal, and confidential in New Zealand. You can find your nearest clinic on our drug checking calendar.

Because tusi contains multiple substances, at-home reagent testing might not identify all the components. Drug checking services can provide more comprehensive results.

Start with a low dose

Begin with a small amount to see how it affects you.

Swallowing a substance has a lower risk of overdose than other methods. Swallowing also has a slower onset, so wait an hour before taking more.

Everyone's body reacts differently, so don't assume your experience will be the same as someone else’s.

Crush and mix

The active ingredients in tusi are usually not evenly distributed, which can mean one part of the bag may be much stronger than the rest. Thoroughly crushing and mixing your substance can help make the effects more consistent for each dose. 

Avoid mixing with other substances

Combining tusi with other drugs, including alcohol, can make the effects more unpredictable and increase the potential for harm. Mixing substances can amplify unpleasant effects and make it harder to manage your experience.

Have friends around

Being around a trusted group of people means it’s easier to get help if something goes wrong.

When to get help

Because of the different drugs in tusi, it’s good to keep an eye out for the signs of both an overdose (like a slowed heart rate or breathing) or overamping (like a racing heart or extreme agitation).

If you or someone else experiences any of the following after using tusi, call 111 immediately and ask for an ambulance:

• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
• Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing
• Seizures
• Racing heart
• Extreme agitation lasting more than 15 minutes
• Chest pain or breathing difficulties lasting more than 5 minutes

Be honest with medical professionals about what was taken; you won't get in trouble, and it could save a life.