Individuals Using ‘Tusi’ Drug Face Increased Danger: Research
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Synopsis
A recent study found that in 2024, 2.7% of NYC adults attending electronic dance music events used ‘Tusi’, particularly among Hispanic individuals and drug users. The drug is often misunderstood, posing heightened risks due to its mixture of substances like ketamine and MDMA.
Key Takeaways
- 2.7% of NYC electronic dance music attendees used ‘Tusi’ in 2024.
- Higher usage rates among Hispanic populations.
- ‘Tusi’ is often confused with 2C psychedelics and cocaine.
- Composed mainly of ketamine and MDMA, not 2C drugs.
- Study involved 1,465 attendees at 124 events.
New York, April 21 (NationPress) A recent investigation has revealed that by 2024, approximately 2.7 percent of adults attending electronic dance music events in New York City (NYC) reported using the drug known as ‘Tusi’ within the previous year, with notably higher consumption among Hispanic individuals and those who engage in other drug use.
‘Tusi’, also referred to as ‘tucibi’ or ‘pink cocaine’, is a drug mixture that has gained popularity in the United States following its emergence in Latin America and Europe over the last decade.
The research, published in the journal Addiction, highlights that many users are often unaware of the true nature of ‘Tusi’ when they consume it.
The drug is frequently misidentified as belonging to the 2C family of psychedelics, due to its phonetic resemblance to “2C”. It is also known as “tucibí” or “tusibí”, which are phonetic adaptations of 2C-B, a specific psychedelic variant. Additionally, it is colloquially labeled as “pink cocaine” (or “cocaina rosada” in Spanish). These various names can lead to significant confusion among users, who might mistakenly believe they are consuming either a psychedelic substance or a relatively pure form of cocaine.
However, the reality is that Tusi is a blend of substances that seldom includes any members of the 2C drug family and typically comprises ketamine and MDMA (ecstasy), occasionally mixed with cocaine. This mixture heightens the potential risks associated with its use.
The study involved a survey of 1,465 adults attending 124 electronic dance music events held at NYC nightclubs from January to November 2024.
Survey participants completed an electronic questionnaire prior to entering the nightclub, and the findings were utilized to estimate the prevalence of Tusi usage among all attendees of electronic dance music events in NYC for that year.
Individuals who consume illicit drugs frequently face the danger of ingesting substances that are mixed or entirely replaced by other drugs.
“Yet, ‘Tusi’ elevates the risk for users even further, partly due to its confusion with both the 2C series and cocaine, and partly because Tusi is essentially a mix of numerous drugs. This significantly amplifies the likelihood of experiencing adverse or unexpected effects,” stated lead researcher Dr. Joseph Palamar from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
