Purple Drank
From Drug Rehab Wiki
"Purple Drank" is slang for a codeine-based syrup that is used by teens to get high.
The trend gained popularity in the 1990s, and is a mixture made from lemon-lime soda or sports drinks and cough syrup that contains a promethazine/codeine blend. Called by street names like Bo, Suzzurp and Purple or Purple Drank,” experts fear that the concoction is especially accessible and tempting to young teens. Rap celebrities have been photographed holding cups of the purple mixture, also known as “Lean.”
When combined with other street drugs like Ecstasy or marijuana – and in many cases, alcohol – the mixture can kill and makes driving extremely dangerous. The street music industry has also responded to the popularity of the mixture, with some artists releasing music at purposely slowed tempos for people sipping promethazine/codeine while listening.
Users of “Lean” have said it gives them an escape from reality, especially negative feelings, and can help erase painful memories. They also report that the concoction slows things down, including significantly slowing the ability to comprehend conversations and to remember recent activities.
Other signs of using “Purple Drank” include tiredness, blurry vision and a sensation of being lightheaded. If consumed with alcohol, the symptoms can be greatly intensified. Perspiration, heart palpitations and a state of confusion can also be evident. The drug can also be called “Texas Tea,” reflecting its use in southern U.S. states where some say the concoction originated.
A prescription is needed to acquire codeine syrup – an opium-based medication also prescribed for pain – and some Purple Drank users are buying it from people who have had the prescription filled by their doctor, including senior adults. The beverage is also concealable inside a Styrofoam cup and may appear harmless on first glance.
Celebrity athletes have also been reported to use the mixture, including JaMarcus Russell, past Oakland Raiders quarterback, who was arrested for having codeine syrup illegally in his home. Users of the syrupy mixture are believed to build a tolerance over time, and experts fear many young teenagers may already be addicted.
Withdrawal from codeine syrup can include paranoia and anxiety, skin prickling or crawling, diarrhea or hallucinations and trembling. School officials and parents are urged to watch for these types of symptoms if they suspect their child may be “sipping syrup.”
Representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration believe the abuse of codeine syrup is growing, as well as trafficking of the substance, and is connected to the larger national problem of the abuse of prescribed medications. Internet-based pharmacies may sell the syrup to teens by accepting unauthorized prescriptions and fake identification. A pint of codeine syrup could sell for several hundred dollars on the street, say law enforcement officials.
Adding to the dangers of codeine syrup is the misconception that it is a basic household medication. When a person overdoses on codeine, the heart and lungs can stop functioning – a deadly consequence that young users may overlook because the syrup is part of a medication for treating a cough or cold symptoms.
The rising abuse of codeine syrup points to the need for further education for parents and school officials about the dangers of teens abusing prescription medications, especially in learning the signs and symptoms of abuse before tragedy occurs.
