The scene is familiar: pulsating lights, moving bodies, dilated smiles. At the heart of the night, amidst the promise of pleasure and freedom, something else lurks, invisible but potent. 

It is in this universe that the organization Energy Control, from Spain, delved into by analyzing over 16,000 samples of MDMA, cocaine, and tusi (or tusibí, also known as "pink cocaine") between 2017 and 2024. What was revealed is more than a technical list of substances: it is a portrait of a time when hedonism coexists with risk, often without the users themselves knowing exactly what they are consuming.

The third report in the series brings data that may seem distant at first glance but closely touch those on the dance floors, in the streets, or seeking relief at some party. With a sensitive tone and harm reduction orientation, the study warns: purity has increased, predictability has decreased, and information remains the main ally for those who do not want to get hurt.

MDMA: High Voltage Pleasure

Among the most striking data is the purity of MDMA. The substance, very common at parties and festivals, maintained high concentration levels, especially in its crystalline form, averaging 82%. But what raised the alarm was the concentration found in tablets: in 2024, 72.5% contained more than 150 mg of the substance, an amount considered high by the Trans-European Drug Information (TEDI).

Although overall adulteration is still considered low, the study identified a growth in the use of synthetic cathinones as adulterants, substances that can cause more unpredictable and risky effects. The data reinforces an increasingly present contradiction: even though drugs are more "pure," it does not mean they are safer.

Cocaine: The Return of an Old Acquaintance

In the case of cocaine, purity is also on the rise. Since 2014, the substance has been showing a constant increase, reaching in 2024 the highest levels ever recorded by Energy Control. At the same time, the number of adulterated samples has decreased, but this does not mean an absence of risk.

Substances like caffeine, phenacetin (a painkiller banned in several countries), and levamisole (used as a veterinary antiparasitic) are still used to "enhance" or manipulate the product. The practice can exacerbate side effects and health risks, especially when combined with a lack of knowledge about the real composition of what is consumed.

Tusi: The Chameleonic Mix Deceptive by Name

Perhaps the most unsettling scenario is that of tusi, erroneously nicknamed "pink cocaine." The expression, rejected by the report itself, masks the reality: it is not cocaine, but a volatile mix, often without any trace of the original substance.

Between 2020 and 2024, what was seen was an intense fluctuation in composition: MDMA, caffeine, and ketamine appear frequently, with emphasis on the latter. In 2024, the average concentration of ketamine reached 48.3%, which raises alerts about risks such as dissociation, disorientation, and even psychotic episodes. Tusi, therefore, represents a kind of chemical roulette, where each dose can be a surprise, not always pleasant, not always safe.

The Role of Information in Times of Uncertainty

Beyond the numbers and substances, the Energy Control report reinforces a fundamental principle: information saves lives. Continuous monitoring, combined with direct counseling with users, is one of the most effective strategies for harm reduction in recreational use contexts.

The initiative, partially supported by Spain's National Drug Plan, serves as an example for other countries, including Brazil, on the importance of looking at substance use with responsibility, empathy, and realism. Pretending that use does not exist only distances users from safe spaces. The most effective path involves access to reliable data, accessible testing, and policies that care instead of punish.
 

With information from Cañamo. 

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