Purple drank

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Close-up photo of a metal spoon filled with a viscous, clear purple fluid
A spoonful of promethazine/codeine syrup showing the characteristic purple color

Purple drank is a slang term for a recreational drug popular in the hip hop community in the southern United States, originating in Houston, Texas. Its main ingredient is prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine.[1] Cough syrup is typically mixed with ingredients such as Sprite soft drink or Mountain Dew 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][6] lean,[1][3][4][7] syrup,[3][5][8] drank,[5][9] barre,[5] purple jelly,[4][5] Texas tea,[9] and Tsikuni.[10]

Contents

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][11] 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,[11] where musician Big Hawk said it was consumed as early as the 1960s and 1970s, becoming more widespread in the early 1990s.[12] Its use later spread to other southern states.[3] Because of usage by rap artists in Houston, it became more popular in the 1990s.[13]

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.

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]

As of 2011, the price of purple drank in Houston is twice the price in Los Angeles.[13]

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.[14]

DJ Screw, who popularized the codeine-based drink, died of a codeine-promethazine-alcohol overdose on November 16, 2000, several months after the video to Three 6 Mafia's single debuted.[8]

Big Moe, a DJ Screw protégé whose albums City of Syrup and Purple World were based on the drink and who has been described as having "rapped obsessively about the drug,"[15] died at age 33 on October 14, 2007, after suffering a heart attack one week earlier that left him in a coma.[16] There was speculation that purple drank may have contributed to his death.[17][18]

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][15]

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 FedEx. Kiel was charged with two felony counts of transporting a controlled substance and three counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance.[19]

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 a holder next to two Styrofoam cups containing soda and ice. The officers said the cups and the bottle all emitted "strong odors of codeine."[20] The case was dismissed at first,[21] but charges were refiled in December 2009 after the Houston Police Department's acquired new equipment that allowed the police to test the evidence again. Jolly faced a possible maximum sentence of up to 20 years in jail, but as a first time offender he would be eligible for probation.[22]

On July 5, 2010, former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was arrested at his home in Mobile, Alabama, for possession of codeine syrup without a prescription. He was arrested as part of an undercover narcotics investigation. Russell was booked into city jail and released soon afterwards after making his bail.[23]

On June 11, 2013, Just days after being robbed at gunpoint in San Francisco, rapper 2 Chainz was arrested at Los Angeles international airport on charges of possessing marijuana and promethazine and codeine, the primary ingredients of purple drank. [24]

Ingredients

The most popular type of codeine syrup is promethazine-codeine, a prescription cough syrup. The active ingredients are codeine, a narcotic, and promethazine, an antihistamine. When taken in large quantities, both medications can lead to sedation and altered levels of consciousness.[1] The inclusion of the antihistamine is intended to deter abuse, as doses higher-than-recommended can produce extreme somnolence, clinical weakness, and ultimately, fatal hypoventilation (inadequate breathing to sustain life). In lower doses, the antihistamine targets cold symptoms through reducing both swelling and vasodilation; it also acts to potentiate the opiate codeine.

Prescription cough syrups containing hydrocodone are also used to make the drink, though they are less popular.[25] 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).[26] Other hydrocodone-containing syrups such as Histinex HC, Hycotuss, and Hycodan may also be used, but Hycodan has added homatropine to deter abuse.[27] 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[28] that has been on the market in the United States since the 1950s.[29] 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.[25]

Promethazine-codeine contains 10 mg of codeine and 6.25 mg of promethazine per 5 mL.[30]

Some users report that the large amount of sugar in drank causes them to experience weight gain, tooth decay, and other medical symptoms.[17]

Mentions in hip hop

 This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2010)

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, Eminem, Lil' Wyte, Big Moe,[31][32] Lil Boosie, Far East Movement, Paul Wall, Esham, Mike Jones, Kanye West, T.I., Rick Ross, Lil' Flip, Lil' Wayne, Ludacris, Fat Joe, Beanie Sigel,[25] Project Pat, Chamillionaire, Lou Bega, Jim Jones, The Game, Slim Thug, Fat Pat, Frayser Boy, Gorilla Zoe, Z-RO, Youngbloodz, 8Ball, Papoose, Drake, Jae Millz, Mack Maine, Ace Hood, Gucci Mane,[33] Plies, ASAP Rocky, Tech N9ne, Trae, Young Buck, E-40, Yelawolf, Schoolboy Q, Mac Miller and Ab-Soul, the latter of whom has crafted an ode to lean titled, "Mixed Emotions".[34]

New Orleans rapper Lil' Wayne has publicly acknowledged his use of purple drank, and his lyrics frequently mentions drinking purple drank.[9] In the Duffle Bag Boy music video he can be seen holding a Styrofoam cup with "RIP DJ Screw" written on it. In his freestyle 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."[9] On March 15, 2013, it was reported that Wayne had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after being discovered "shaking uncontrollably" and "unconscious". Doctors found a high amount of codeine in his system and his stomach had to be pumped three times. He was said to be in critical condition.[35] The rapper's associates were quick to deny rumors that he was near death, and he was released on March 18.[36]

Commercial products

Advertising for one commercial product based on purple drank.

Several legal commercial products loosely based on "purple drank" are marketed in the United States. In June 2008 Innovative Beverage Group, a Houston, Texas-based company, 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.[37][38] Similar "relaxation" or "anti-energy" drinks on the commercial market use the names "Purple Stuff", "Sippin Syrup", and "Lean".[39][40][41]

Criticism

These commercial products have been criticized for their potential to serve as gateways to the dangerous illegal concoction.[40][41][42] 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."[42]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Peters Ronald J. Jr.; Steven H. Kelder, Christine M. Markham, George S. Yacoubian, Jr., Lecresha A. Peters and Artist Ellis (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. 
  2. ^ a b Walker, Yolanda (2006-10-20). "Drug-laced cough syrup tempts Texas teens". WFAA. Archived from the original on 2007-01-25. 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. ^ The Daily Fix The Wall Street Journal, David Roth. July 9, 2010
  7. ^ 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."
  8. ^ a b Demby, Eric (2001-01-11). "Codeine Overdose Killed DJ Screw, Medical Examiner Says". MTV.com. Retrieved 2006-10-28. 
  9. ^ 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
  10. ^ Arizona Officer Safety Bulletin, [1], Public Intelligence, June 24, 2011
  11. ^ a b [2]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. 
  12. ^ Joseph Patel, Chopped & Screwed: A History, page 2, MTV.com. Accessed January 7, 2010.
  13. ^ a b Schiller, Dane. "Purple Drank scheme allegedly made millions for smuggling ring." Houston Chronicle. Wednesday October 19, 2011. Retrieved on October 23, 2011.
  14. ^ "Alcohol Interactions with Other Drugs". Alcohol and Other Drugs Program Public Health Division, Health Department of Western Australia. 1999. 
  15. ^ a b Kristie Rieken, Cough syrup found in Pimp C's hotel had no label, Associated Press, February 5, 2008
  16. ^ DJs - Rapper Big Moe Dies, contactmusic.com, 15/10/2007
  17. ^ a b Leslie Casimir, Rapper's death leads teens to re-evaluate lifestyle; Fans and friends wonder whether drug was a factor in his heart attack, Houston Chronicle, Oct. 20, 2007
  18. ^ Houston rappers remember Big Moe, by Eyder Peralta, Houston Chronicle, Oct. 16, 2007
  19. ^ Chargers safety Kiel arrested on drug charges, USA Today, September 28, 2006
  20. ^ Jolly faces unclear future - Trial on felony charge of drug possession awaits Packers defensive lineman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 11, 2009. The credibility of this statement is questionable. Codeine is odorless, according to Codeine Product Data Sheet, Chemkoo.com, accessed December 12, 2011.
  21. ^ Case against Jolly dismissed, "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel", July 16, 2009
  22. ^ "540 ESPN Milwaukee". Espnmilwaukee.com. Retrieved 2010-01-04. 
  23. ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/07/05/russell.arrest.ap/index.html?eref=sihp 2010-07-05
  24. ^ http://news.radio.com/2013/06/11/2-chainz-arrested-for-marijuana-possession-at-los-angeles-airport/ 2013-11-06
  25. ^ a b c Maxim W. Furek, "Lean" Abuse Creates Strange Musical Genre, Counselor: The Magazine for Addiction Professionals, 20 November 2008
  26. ^ "Tussionex (Hydrocodone and Chlorpheniramine) drug description - FDA approved labeling for prescription drugs and medications at RxList". Rxlist.com. Retrieved 2010-01-04. 
  27. ^ Papich, Mark G. (2010-11-03). Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs: Small and Large Animal. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 9781437701920. Retrieved 2013-04-04. 
  28. ^ Mason, Robert J.; V. Courtney Broaddus, Thomas Martin, Talmadge King Jr, Dean Schraufnagel, John F. Murray, Jay A. Nadel (2010-06-09). Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 9781437735536. 
  29. ^ Miller, Richard Lawrence (2002). "Dextromethorphan". The encyclopedia of addictive drugs. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. pp. 110‒113. ISBN 0313318077. 
  30. ^ "Phenergan with Codeine medical facts from Drugs.com". Drugs.com<!. Retrieved 2010-01-04. 
  31. ^ Soren Baker, DJ Screw Protege Big Moe Spills 'Purple Stuff', MTV.com, April 19, 2002
  32. ^ 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."
  33. ^ Lyrics for "Wasted" by Gucci Mane. The lyrics say "Sippin on purple stuff rolling up stanked" and "Purple codeine sprite paint don't wasted, Mix it up grandma drank it than tasted, Now grandma sippin syrup leanin wasted..."
  34. ^ http://rapgenius.com/Ab-soul-mixed-emotions-lyrics
  35. ^ http://www.tmz.com/2013/03/15/lil-wayne-seizures-hospitalized-drugs-sizzurp-critical-condition-icu
  36. ^ Duke, Alan (March 19, 2013). "Lil Wayne leaves hospital". CNN. Retrieved March 20, 2013. 
  37. ^ "'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. [dead link]
  38. ^ Adventures in Press Releases: The Anti-Energy Drink By Sarah DiGregorio in Edible News, June 4, 2008
  39. ^ 'Sippin Syrup' being sold in stores creates controversy, theGrio website, 09/25/2009. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  40. ^ 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
  41. ^ a b Boyce Watkins, Company Makes Money from Deadly Urban Trend: "Sipping Syrup", AOL Black Voices, September 29, 2009
  42. ^ a b Kim Horner, Anti-energy drink hard for some mental health experts to swallow, Dallas Morning News, February 18, 2010
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