Toxicology tests have now confirmed that back in September, 13-year-old friends Ryan Ainsworth and Grant Seaver from Park City, Utah overdosed on the new synthetic drug, pink (you’ll remember this drug was also found at the estate of Prince after he died). Official cause of death was acute intoxication from U-47700, sometimes known as “pink” or “pinky”. The drug can be easily bought online for about $40.
This new opioid is being synthesized in labs overseas and is too new as a recreational drug to be listed as illegal. According to search warrants, the drug was ordered online from China. One teen has been charged with “distribution of a controlled substance” and “reckless endangerment” as police investigate a group of kids.
According to the DEA the exact effects of U-47700 aren’t totally understood and a small amount could be fatal, especially if it’s laced with another drug. However, it is known that Pink is nearly eight times stronger than morphine and has been connected with at least 50 deaths nationwide.
From the article:
“U-47700 was developed by a pharmaceutical manufacturer in the 1970s as a possible alternative to morphine. Now, chemists in places such as China and Eastern Europe can make it with recipes published in online patent records and old scientific journals.”
IF you are a parent it’s time to talk about this with your kids and depending on your relationship with them, and level of trust, it may even be time to start snooping. Pink takes a couple of forms so look for:
- White powder
- Liquid form- look for dropper bottles and nasal inhalers
- Unmarked delivery boxes – perhaps with hand-written labels or coming from overseas- especially anything shipped from Asian countries
- Boxes, vials or plastic baggies labeled “Not for Human Consumption” or “For Research Purposes Only”
Our country is currently struggling with an opioid epidemic. Our hearts go out to the parents who have lost children in this war.
Source: CBS News
