« Designer high » was found in former One Direction star’s system during a partial autopsy. « Users never know what they are consuming, » an expert told Newsweek
Pink cocaine found in a partial autopsy of former One Direction singer Liam Payne has been described by experts as « Russian roulette. »
The designer drug, detected in the star’s system, has the potential for serious long-term psychological side effects and serious health risks, including death. But what makes this new drug so dangerous?
« The use of pink cocaine is becoming increasingly widespread, with case studies emerging from Europe, the USA, and South America », Joseph Janes, a lecturer in Criminology at Swansea University and author of a recent article on pink cocaine for The Conversation, told Newsweek. « Although the exact demographic of users is not yet clear, the drug is strongly associated with party scenes, where it is gaining popularity. »
Pink cocaine, also known as Tusi, first rose to popularity in Colombia in 2010, although Janes said it was first synthesized in 1974 by American biochemist Alexander Shulgin.
