Strange Synthetic Opioid "Pinkie" Available Online Killed Park City Teens

An obscure synthetic opioid that goes by the name U-47700, or more commonly known as "pink' or "pinkie", has claimed the life of two 13-year-old boys in Park City.

U-47700 is a synthetic opioid that was derived from morphine. Animal testing of the drug showed that it was about eight times stronger than morphine. First developed and patented by a pharmaceutical company in 1978 as a possible alternative for morphine, U-47700 was never approved to be used in humans. Old patent records and formulas made it possible for chemists all around the world to recreate the drug and make it available to those who finding cheaper way to get high.

According to the report from Washington Post, official toxicology tests showed that the two boys died due to acute drug intoxication caused by pink overdose. Further police investigation revealed that the boys, together with a 15-year-old boy and a teenage girl, bought the U-47700 online.

The teenage girl admitted that the two boys used her house as the shipping address for the package which she described as "a clear bag with a white powdery substance." The package came from Shanga, China. The 15-year old boy was arrested and charged for distribution of a controlled substance and reckless endangerment. Investigators believe that the boy is somehow involve with the two dead boys, possibly selling and distributing pinkies to other students.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the police investigating the death of the two boys also discovered that the drug has been gaining some ground in the local school community. Following the discovery of the pinkie's popularity among students, the police launched an extensive search of the school premises, especially the students' lockers.

The death of the two Park City boys has forced the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to classify U-47700 as a Schedule I drugs, or drugs that had "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse."