Lean (drug)
Purple Drank is an illegal recreational drink popular in the hip-hop community of the Southern United States. Its main ingredients are prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine.[1]
The purple-ish hue of Purple Drank comes from dyes in the cough syrup. Recently, the term has expanded to cover mixtures including over-the-counter cough syrup. Other terms for Purple Drank include Sizzurp, Drank, Purple Tonic, Texas Tea, Lean (or Southern Lean), Oil, Barre, RoBo, Cherry, Sir, and Sizzurp.
History
Houston, Texas producer DJ Screw first popularized the concoction, which is widely attributed as a source of inspiration for the "chopped & screwed" style of hip hop music. Originally, the active ingredient of "Syrup" was cough syrup containing promethazine and codeine. The concoction first gained popularity in the underground Houston, Texas rap scene and later spread to other southern states.
In June of 2000, Three 6 Mafia's single "Sippin On Some Syrup," featuring UGK and Project Pat brought the term "purple stuff" to a nationwide audience.[2] However, on November 16, 2000, only a few short months after the video to Three 6 Mafia's single debuted, DJ Screw died of a suspected overdose of codeine and alcohol.[3]. The mixture has also been referenced in lyrics of other rappers, including UGK's "Sippin and Spinnin" and "Purple Drank", as well as tracks by Paul Wall, Mike Jones, T.I., Chamillionaire, Big Moe, Slim Thug, and Z-Ro. In September of 2006, Terrence Kiel, a San Diego Chargers player, was arrested during practice for the possession with intent to sell of what authorities referred to as "Lean".[4].
Ingredients
Active ingredients
The active ingredient of purple drank is codeine, a narcotic medication contained in prescription strength cough syrups due to its antitussive properties. Some prescription cough syrups also contain anti-histamine medications, such as promethazine, which have a mild sedative effect.When taken in large quantities, both medications can lead to sedation and altered levels of consciousness.[1] It is NOT made with over-the-counter Robitussin. "this stuff will definetly make you sick, and its thick and nasty"! says two famous twins named ebo and ambo, who are prominent figures on the hip hop scene.
Other ingredients
Cough syrups are usually mixed with mild, sweetish liquors such as rum, schnapps, or bourbon and a carbonated lemon-lime soft drink (generally Sprite). Fruit juice may also be added. In certain circles, the drink may also include Jolly Rancher candies or Skittles..
Effects
The following are the effects of drinking syrup:
- Feeling that everything is in slow-motion (this effect is the prime source for the sound and tempo of the hip hop subgenre screwed and chopped).
- Dizziness, often causing the user to list side-to-side. This gives rise to one of the drug's alternate names ("Lean")
- Reactions slowed
- Inability to speak clearly
- Vomiting
- Visual color patterns (in high doses)
- Itching
- Blurred vision (possible blindness may follow if taken in high doses)
- Insomnia
References
- ^ a b 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. PMID 15237866, Error: Bad DOI specified!.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Walker, Yolanda (2006-10-20). "Drug-laced cough syrup tempts Texas teens". WFAA. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Demby, Eric (2001-01-11). "Codeine Overdose Killed DJ Screw, Medical Examiner Says". MTV.com. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Leinwand, Donna (2006-10-18). "DEA warns of soft drink-cough syrup mix". USA Today. Retrieved 2006-10-23.
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