Nitazenes & “Pink Cocaine”: What Foster Carers Need to Know - Lorimer Fostering

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Nitazenes & “Pink Cocaine”: What Foster Carers Need to Know

Keeping children and young people safe means staying informed about emerging drug trends. Recently, the UK has seen an increase in highly potent synthetic drugs entering the illegal market. Two substances causing concern right now are Nitazenes and so-called “pink cocaine.”

This page explains what they are, where they are being found, and what signs carers should look out for.

What Are Nitazenes?

Nitazenes are a group of extremely strong synthetic opioids. They can be stronger than fentanyl, which itself is far more potent than heroin.

Legal Status

    • All Nitazenes are Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

    • Possession, supply, importation, or production is illegal and carries severe penalties.

Why Are They a Concern?

Across the UK, Nitazenes have been detected in:

    • Fake “blue oxycodone 30mg” pills

    • Powders sold as heroin

    • Powders sold as fentanyl

    • Occasionally in vapes or liquids

The biggest risk is that people often don’t realise they are taking Nitazenes. Alerts have been issued by the National Crime Agency (NCA), the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID), and drug-checking services.

How Nitazenes Affect the Body

Nitazenes act like other opioids but can be much stronger.

Short-Term Effects

    • Sedation and drowsiness

    • Slowed or shallow breathing

    • Heavy limbs

    • Euphoria

    • Nausea or vomiting

    • Pinpoint pupils

    • Loss of consciousness at higher doses

Major Dangers

    • Overdose can happen very quickly, sometimes within minutes

    • Breathing may stop

    • Multiple doses of naloxone may be required in an emergency

    • Overdose risk increases when mixed with:

        • Alcohol

        • Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam)

        • Pregabalin or gabapentin

        • Other opioids

How Young People Might Encounter Nitazenes

Nitazenes in the UK are rarely sold under their real name. Instead, they may appear in:

    • Fake prescription pills (OxyContin, Xanax, etc.)

    • Heroin or “street powders”

    • Tablets bought online

    • Occasionally in e-liquids or nasal sprays

Drug-checking services such as WEDINOS have repeatedly found Nitazenes in samples that were sold as something else.

Signs of a Potential Opioid/Nitazene Overdose

Seek emergency help immediately if you notice:

    • Very slow or stopped breathing

    • Difficulty waking or no response

    • Blue or grey lips or fingertips

    • Slow or faint pulse

    • Gurgling or snoring sounds

    • Pinpoint pupils

This situation is life-threatening. Call 999 right away.

What Is “Pink Cocaine”?

Despite the name, “pink cocaine” usually contains no cocaine at all. It is often a brightly coloured powder sold under names like:

    • Tusi / Tucibi / 2C-B (pronounced “tusi”)

In reality, it may include any mixture of:

    • MDMA

    • Ketamine

    • Caffeine

    • 2C-B (sometimes)

    • Other unknown substances

The pink colour is usually just food dye – it does not indicate what is inside.

Why It’s Risky

Because the ingredients vary, effects can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

Possible Effects of “Pink Cocaine”

Depending on the ingredients, a person may experience:

    • Stimulant effects (e.g., racing heart, energy)

    • Dissociation (if it contains ketamine)

    • Psychedelic visuals (if 2C-B is present)

    • Numbing sensations (if mixed with local anaesthetics)

Signs of a Possible “Pink Cocaine” Overdose

Look for any of the following:

Physical Signs

    • Very fast heartbeat or chest pain

    • Overheating, hot or sweaty skin

    • Shaking or sweating heavily

    • Slow or irregular breathing

    • Blue or grey lips

    • Vomiting, especially if unconscious

    • Seizures

    • Collapse or inability to stand

Mental/Behavioural Signs

    • Extreme confusion

    • Panic or severe anxiety

    • Agitation or sudden aggression

    • Intense hallucinations

    • Loss of consciousness

Life-Threatening Signs

    • Not waking up

    • Breathing fewer than 8 times per minute

    • Stopped breathing

    • Gurgling or choking sounds

    • Very high temperature (hot, dry skin)

Call 999 immediately if any of these symptoms appear.

How Foster Carers Can Help Keep Young People Safe

    • Stay informed about emerging drug trends (like Nitazenes & Pink Cocaine)

    • Keep communication open – young people are more likely to talk when they feel safe and not judged

    • Know the signs of overdose and intoxication

    • Seek help early if you are worried about a young person’s substance use

    • If a young person is in immediate danger or showing overdose symptoms, call 999 right away

If you’re concerned about a young person in your care, Lorimer’s support team is always here to help.

Nitazenes & “Pink Cocaine”

Support & Further Information

If you’re worried about a young person’s safety, substance use, or wellbeing, the following services can offer guidance and immediate help:

Emergency Help

    • 999 – Call immediately if a young person is unresponsive, struggling to breathe, or showing signs of overdose.

    • NHS 111 – For urgent medical advice when it’s not an emergency.

Support for Young People

Support for Foster Carers

    • Lorimer Fostering – Supervising Social Worker
      Your SSW is always your first point of contact for any concerns.

    • Lorimer Out-of-Hours Support
      For urgent fostering support outside office hours.

    • NHS Mental Health Support
      Local NHS mental health crisis teams can help if a young person is in emotional or psychological distress.

More Useful Information for Foster Carers

Explore more resources, guides, and safeguarding advice in our Fostering Information Hub:
https://www.lorimerfostering.com/fostering-information-hub/approved-foster-carers/