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Lean (drug)

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Purple drank is a slang term for a recreational drug popular in the hip hop community in the southern United States. Porn star Tim Klustner uses it during his late night hook-ups with his "Redmond Chicks". Its main ingredient is prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine.[1] Cough syrup is typically mixed with ingredients such as 7Up soft drink and pieces of Jolly Rancher candy. The purplish hue of purple drank comes from dyes in the cough syrup.

There are numerous slang terms for purple drank, including sizzurp,[2][3][4][5] lean,[1][3][4][6] syrup,[3][5][7] drank,[5][8] barre,[5] purple jelly,[4][5] and Texas tea.[8]

History

Houston, Texas producer DJ Screw popularized the concoction, which is widely attributed as a source of inspiration for the "chopped and screwed" style of hip hop music.[3][9] Originally, the active ingredient of "syrup" was cough syrup containing promethazine and codeine. The concoction first gained popularity in the underground rap scene in Houston,[9] where musician Big Hawk said it was consumed as early as the 1960s and 1970s, becoming more widespread in the early 1990s.[10] Its use later spread to other southern states.[3]

In June 2000, Three 6 Mafia's single "Sippin' on Some Syrup," featuring UGK, brought the term "purple drank" to a nationwide audience.[2] Three 6 Mafia's single "Rainbow Colors" featuring Lil' Flip pertains to the consumption of purple drank; the addition of a Jolly Rancher candy to a cup of purple drank creates a spectrum of colors, hence the name. "Rainbow colors" can also refer to a mix of different narcotic cough syrups containing codeine, hydrocodone, and various other antihistamines, expectorants, and such. So-called "yellow syrup" is a blend of XR hydrocodone and atropine or chlorpheniramine and "pink syrup" is Cheratussin AC brand codeine and guaifenesin. Cheratussin AC (and other similar brands), which is legal for over-the-counter purchase in some states (e.g., Washington), is sometimes seen as an alternative to purple and yellow syrup.

In 2004, the University of Texas found that 8.3% of secondary school students in Texas had taken codeine syrup to get high.[3] The Drug Enforcement Administration reports "busts" involving syrup across the southern United States, particularly in Texas and Florida.[3]

Ingredients

The most popular type of codeine syrup is promethazine-codeine, a prescription cough syrup. The active ingredients are codeine, a narcotic, and the antihistamine medication promethazine. When taken in large quantities, both medications can lead to sedation and altered levels of consciousness.[1] The addition of these antihistamines is intended to deter abuse at high doses (in doses higher than recommended, effects produce extreme somnolence, weakness and may even cause fatal respiratory depression). In lower doses, these potentiate the opiates.

Prescription cough syrups containing hydrocodone are also used to make the drink, though they are less popular.[11] Songs like "Sippin' on Some Syrup" by Three 6 Mafia refer to Tussionex, a yellow cough syrup containing extended-release hydrocodone and chlorpheniramine (another antihistamine).[12] Other hydrocodone-containing syrups such as Histinex HC, Hycotuss, and Hycodan may also be used but have the addition of atropine to deter abuse.[citation needed] Syrup also is made with over-the-counter cough syrups such as Robitussin DM, which contain dextromethorphan as the cough suppressant. Although dextromethorphan is used recreationally, it has dissociative effects as opposed to narcotic. Dextromethorphan is a synthetic morphine analog that has been on the market in the United States since the 1960s. It is a cough suppressant in small doses, but in large doses it can result in a disassociative state, with hallucinations, similar to that produced by PCP or ketamine.[11]

Promethazine-codeine contains 10 mg of codeine and 6.25 mg of promethazine per 5 mL.[13]

Mentions in music

In addition to its popularization in the music of DJ Screw and Three 6 Mafia, the mixture has been referenced in lyrics of other rappers. It is the subject of UGK's "Sippin and Spinnin" and "Purple Drank", as well as tracks by D12, Lil' Wyte, Big Moe,[14][15] Lil Boosie, Paul Wall, Esham, Mike Jones, T.I., Rick Ross, Lil' Flip, Lil' Wayne, Ludacris, Fat Joe, Beanie Sigel,[11] Project Pat, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Fat Pat, Frayser Boy, Gorilla Zoe, Z-Ro, Youngbloodz, 8Ball, Papoose, Gucci Mane, Plies, Tech N9ne, and Trae and Young Buck.

New Orleans rapper Lil' Wayne has publicly acknowledged his use of purple drank, and he frequently mentions drinking purple drank in his lyrics.[8] In the Duffle Bag Boy music video he can be seen holding a Styrofoam cup with "RIP DJ Screw" written on it. In the remix to "Throw Some D's" on his mixtape Da Drought 3 he claims "I'm not a rookie, I'm a pro..methazine fiend" as well as stating "You know what's in my Styrofoam...what? S-Y-R-UP." He also mentions the substance in the track "Barry Bonds" from Kanye West's Graduation album, saying "My drink is still pinker than the Easter Rabbit," an overt reference to the color of the beverage. Wayne makes a similar reference in DJ Khaled's song, "We Takin' Over." Wayne says, "...and I like my Sprite Easter pink."[8] In the album Tha Carter III, the song "Phone Home", includes the lyrics "I'm used to promethazine, in two cups, I'm screwed up". His song "Me and My Drank" is dedicated to his use of purple drank and the song "Kush" mentions purple drank in the line "Keep a bandanna like the Ninja Turtles, I'm like a turtle, when I sip the purple." In his appearance on Gorilla Zoe's song "Lost", Wayne raps "...and I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'ma keep the Styrofoam with me", with the end of the line being "chopped and screwed". Rapper Nicki Minaj mentioned the drink in her single, "Mind on My Money." She raps, "...and when I come, they better lean like promethazine."[citation needed]

References to the substance are appearing in other musical genres. Southern punk band Black Lips' song "I Saw A Ghost (Lean)" is about a trip on purple drank.[citation needed] In addition, the legal commercial product named "Drank" is depicted in several music videos, including the Pussycat Dolls music video for "Bottle Pop," the Flo Rida video for the song "Sugar," and the Keri Hilson video for the single "Turnin Me On."[16]

Notable deaths from use

Purple drank is confirmed or suspected to have caused the deaths of several prominent users. Respiratory depression is a potentially serious or fatal adverse drug reaction associated with the use of codeine, but mainly the danger lies in the much more potent and CNS-depressing phenothiazine-related antihistamine promethazine. This depression is dose-related and is the mechanism for the potentially fatal consequences of overdose: respiratory or cardiac arrest. As with most CNS depressants, mixing with alcohol greatly increases the risk of respiratory failure and other complications.

DJ Screw, who popularized the codeine-based drink, died of a codeine-promethazine-alcohol overdose on November 15, 2000, several months after the video to Three 6 Mafia's single debuted.[7]

Big Moe, a DJ Screw protegé whose albums City of Syrup and Purple World were based on the drink and who has been described as having "rapped incessantly about the drug,"[17] died at age 33 on October 14, 2007, after suffering a heart attack one week earlier that left him in a coma.[18] There was speculation that purple drank may have contributed to his death. [19]

Pimp C, widely influential Port Arthur, Texas rapper and a member of rap duo UGK, was found dead on December 4, 2007, at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, California. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office reported that the rapper's death was "due to promethazine/codeine effects and other unestablished factors." Ed Winter, assistant chief of the coroner's office, said the levels of the medication were elevated, but not enough to deem the death an overdose. However, Pimp C had a history of sleep apnea, a condition that causes one to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. A spokesman for the coroner's office said that the combination of sleep apnea and cough medication probably suppressed Pimp C's breathing long enough to bring on his death.[4][17]

Other notable incidents

In September 2006, Terrence Kiel, a San Diego Chargers player, was arrested during practice for the possession with intent to sell prescription cough syrup for use in making the drink.[3] Kiel was caught trying to ship a case of syrup to a friend via Fed Ex. Kiel was charged with two felony counts of transporting a controlled substance and three counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance.[20]

On July 8, 2008, Johnny Jolly, a Green Bay Packers player, was pulled over in his car for excessive music. The officers found a Dr Pepper bottle in the left cup holder of the center console next to two Styrofoam cups containing soda and ice. The officers said the cups and the bottle all emitted strong odors of codeine.[21] The case has since been dismissed while technicians involved are trained on new equipment.[22] Charges were refiled in December of 2009, however, upon the Houston Police Department's acquisition of new equipment that allowed the police to test the evidence again. Jolly faces a possible maximum sentence of up to twenty years in jail, but because he is a first time offender Jolly is eligible for probation.[23]

Commercial products

Several legal commercial products loosely based on "purple drank" are marketed in the United States. In June 2008 Innovative Beverage Group, a publicly traded company based in Houston (Other OTC:IBGH.PK), released a beverage called "Drank." The commercial product contains no codeine or promethazine, but claims to "Slow Your Roll" with a combination of herbal ingredients such as valerian root and rose hips as well as the hormone melatonin.[24][25] Similar "relaxation" or "anti-energy" drinks on the commercial market use the names "Purple Stuff" and "Sippin Syrup".[26][27][28]

These commercial products have been criticized for their potential to serve as gateways to the dangerous illegal concoction.[27][28][29] At a mental health conference in February 2010, Dr. Ronald Peters, Jr., of the University of Texas Health Science Center said of "Drank": "They're taking the name, and they're trying to market it to young people." He described the beverage as "the worst thing I've ever seen on the street since the making of candy cigarettes."[29] Health experts have also warned that the herbal ingredients in these beverages induce drowsiness and sedation, which can be dangerous for people who consume them, particularly if they are mixed with alcohol.[29] In November 2009 a Lake Charles, Louisiana, television news station reported cautionary advice on these drinks from a hospital nutritionist who said that their ingredients might be dangerous when used in combination with antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, or other medications.[30]

References

  1. ^ a b c Peters Ronald J. Jr. (2003). "Beliefs and social norms about codeine and promethazine hydrochloride cough syrup (CPHCS) onset and perceived addiction among urban Houstonian adolescents: an addiction trend in the city of lean". Journal of drug education. 33 (4): 415–25. doi:10.2190/NXJ6-U60J-XTY0-09MP. PMID 15237866. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b Walker, Yolanda (2006-10-20). "Drug-laced cough syrup tempts Texas teens". WFAA. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Leinwand, Donna (2006-10-18). "DEA warns of soft drink-cough syrup mix". USA Today. Retrieved 2006-10-23.
  4. ^ a b c d "Cough syrup cited in rapper Pimp C's death". LATimes.com. 2008-02-05. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
  5. ^ a b c d e Bryan Robinson, Cough Syrup Abuse in Texas Takes Center Stage, ABC News, August 17, 2005
  6. ^ Richard Klemme, USE OF PROMETHAZINE WITH CODEINE SYRUP: COUGH/COLD EPIDEMIC OR SIGNIFICANT ABUSE?, Texas State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter, Volume XXV , Number 2, Spring 2001. The name "lean" refers to "abusers’ propensity of having difficulty in standing up straight."
  7. ^ a b Demby, Eric (2001-01-11). "Codeine Overdose Killed DJ Screw, Medical Examiner Says". MTV.com. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
  8. ^ a b c d Shaheem Reid, Lil Wayne On Syrup: 'Everybody Wants Me To Stop ... It Ain't That Easy', MTV.com, February 28, 2008
  9. ^ a b [1]Corcoran, Michael Joseph (2005). "The Geto Boys and DJ Screw: Where the Dirty South Began". All Over the Map: True Heroes of Texas Music (1st ed.). Austin: University of Texas Press. pp. 23–26. ISBN 0-292-70976-5.
  10. ^ Joseph Patel, Chopped & Screwed: A History, page 2, MTV.com. Accessed January 7, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c Maxim W. Furek, "Lean" Abuse Creates Strange Musical Genre, Counselor: The Magazine for Addiction Professionals, 20 November 2008
  12. ^ "Tussionex (Hydrocodone and Chlorpheniramine) drug description - FDA approved labeling for prescription drugs and medications at RxList". Rxlist.com. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  13. ^ "Phenergan with Codeine medical facts from Drugs.com". Drugs.com<!. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  14. ^ Soren Baker, DJ Screw Protege Big Moe Spills 'Purple Stuff', MTV.com, April 19, 2002
  15. ^ Jason Birchmeier, Big Moe Biography, Yahoo! Music, accessed January 8, 2010. "The [title of] the big man's debut album, City of Syrup (2000), ... nodding to Houston's reputation for drinking codeine-laced syrup, which Moe pours from a Styrofoam cup on the album's cover."
  16. ^ Drank(TM), World's First Extreme Relaxation(TM) Beverage Featured in Time Magazine Amidst Pop Culture Frenzy, Innovative Beverage Group press release, June 4, 2009
  17. ^ a b Kristie Rieken, Cough syrup found in Pimp C's hotel had no label, Associated Press, February 5, 2008
  18. ^ DJs - Rapper Big Moe Dies, contactmusic.com, 15/10/2007
  19. ^ Houston rappers remember Big Moe, by Eyder Peralta, Houston Chronicle, Oct. 16, 2007
  20. ^ Chargers safety Kiel arrested on drug charges, USA Today, September 28, 2006
  21. ^ Jolly faces unclear future - Trial on felony charge of drug possession awaits Packers defensive lineman, "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel", July 11, 2009
  22. ^ Case against Jolly dismissed, "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel", July 16, 2009
  23. ^ "540 ESPN Milwaukee". Espnmilwaukee.com. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  24. ^ "'Slow Your Roll' With DRANK From Innovative Beverage Group -- the World's First Extreme Lifestyle Relaxation Beverage". Yahoo. 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  25. ^ Adventures in Press Releases: The Anti-Energy Drink By Sarah DiGregorio in Edible News, June 4, 2008
  26. ^ 'Sippin Syrup' being sold in stores creates controversy, theGrio website, 09/25/2009. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  27. ^ a b Jemimah Noonoo, Anti-Energy Drink Fuels Concerns Over Marketing, Houston Chronicle, November 28, 2008; retrieved from commercialalert.org website on November 27, 2009
  28. ^ a b Boyce Watkins, Company Makes Money from Deadly Urban Trend: "Sipping Syrup", AOL Black Voices, September 29, 2009
  29. ^ a b c Kim Horner, Anti-energy drink hard for some mental health experts to swallow, Dallas Morning News, February 18, 2010
  30. ^ Britney Glaser, Special Healthcast Report: Downer Dangers, KPLC-TV, November 6, 2009
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