Drug users are being warned that a substance called “pink cocaine” or “tucibi (2CB)” is circulating in the community and leading to a spike in drug poisoning.
The warning was issued by the Community Drug Strategy.
“While we cannot confirm the specific substance(s) responsible for the recent reactions, we have reports that the drug in question may have been “pink cocaine”, or “tucibi (2CB)”, said the warning,” the group warned in a news release.
Pink cocaine is not actually cocaine, though it can contain cocaine. Dyed pink, the substance is often a mix of ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamines, cocaine, opioids and new psychoactive substances, the Drug Strategy said. Because this unregulated substance contains both stimulants and depressants, symptoms may vary based upon experience with the components and the amount of each substance in the supply, leading to poisonings.
Users of these types of substances should carry a Naloxone kit and know how to use it. Kits are available for free from Public Health Sudbury & Districts, Réseau Access Network, Health Sciences North or a local pharmacy.
Resources can be found by contacting the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677 (NORS line). NORS is a virtual safe consumption line available 24/7 that provides confidential and nonjudgmental support, whenever and wherever you use drugs.
Resources can also be found through the Brave App, a virtual safe consumption app that will anonymously and privately connect a person to a Brave Supporter.
“Given the heat warning issued for Sudbury and Manitoulin districts … people who use drugs and unhoused people may be at increased risk for heat-related illnesses,” the strategy said in the news release. “People who are exposed to or are using hallucinogens such as molly/MDMA or pink cocaine are at an even higher risk of heat-related illness due to their dehydrating effects.”
The health unit also provided additional information on recognizing some symptoms of individuals who might overdose on the PHSD website.
