DEA says new ‘pink cocaine’ is still uncommon in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As "pink cocaine" makes headlines following the death of a One Direction member, the Drug Enforcement Administration said the substance is still uncommon in Missouri.
A toxicology report revealed the substance was found in the body of singer Liam Payne after he fell from a balcony and died last week, KABC reports.
Springfield, Missouri, DEA Agent-in-Charge Bryce Herkert said "pink cocaine" is a mixture of many different drugs that is then dyed pink and sold in a powder form. The mixture can include ketamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine and fentanyl.
"In the few samples that our labs have seen, the only commonality is that it's a pink, powdery substance," Herkert said.
He said the DEA has only started to seize the substance over the last couple of years. He said it is popular in the club scene and is likely being targeted to youth due to its pink coloring and sometimes strawberry flavor.
Herkert said the DEA in Missouri has not yet encountered the drug, but it is possible it's been found by local law enforcement agencies.
Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said his office has been referred to review a few cases involving "pink cocaine" recently from law enforcement.
Spokespeople for the Boone County Sheriff's Office, MU Health Care and Boone Health all said they have not encountered the substance. The Columbia Police Department did not provide a comment Friday.
Columbia/Boone County Health and Human Services Health Program Coordinator Heather Harlan said while there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding "pink cocaine," drug mixtures like these can complicate things for medical professionals.
"Many drugs is like stomping on the accelerator and the brake at the same time," Harlan said. "It's difficult to know which symptoms match up with which drugs. How do you help a person survive if you don't know what's in their system? You may not even have a panel to test for a particular drug."
Harlan said fentanyl is still the largest drug problem in Boone County.
Herkert said the biggest concern with "pink cocaine" is the potential it contains the deadly opioid.
"Of greatest concern is that if [pink cocaine] contains fentanyl that it's likely a lethal dose," Herkert said. "Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl, the amount that would fit on the end of a pencil tip, is a potentially lethal dose."
The health department urges everyone to have Naloxone to reverse an overdose.
However, Harlan pointed out the death of Payne wasn't caused by an overdose, but injuries he sustained after falling from a balcony after he used these drugs to the point of a compromised mental state.
"Every time someone misuses drugs and they can't keep themselves safe, they put themselves and their community at risk," Harlan said. "Whether the drug is legal or illegal, whether it's plant-based or whether it's a synthetic drug, keeping ourselves safe is our responsibility as adults."
If someone is struggling with substance abuse, they can contact resources like Compass Health Network, Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare or Behavioral Health Group. If it is an emergency, they can call or text 988 for free and confidential support.
