Purple drank
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Purple Drank is an illegal recreational drink popular in the Southern United States rap community, whose main ingredients originally consisted of prescription strength cough syrup, containing codeine and promethazine, and either a carbonated soft drink (generally Sprite) or fruit juice.[1] The purple-ish hue of Purple Drank comes from the dyes in the cough syrup. Recently, the term has expanded to cover mixtures including over-the-counter cough syrup and vodka in place of prescription cough syrup. Other terms for Purple Drank include Barre, Oil, Purple Tonic, Lean (or Southern Lean,) Drank, and Syrup (which is sometimes slangly pronounced as Sizzurp.)
[edit] 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](There is also a rumor about someone slipping some methamphetamine into his "Purple Drank"). 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, Slim Thug, and Z-Ro. In September of 2006, Terrence Kiel, a San Diego Chargers player, was arrested during practice for the possesion with attempt to sell of what authorities referred to as "Lean".[4]
[edit] Active ingredients
The active ingredient of purple drank is codeine, an opiate 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]
Allegedly incorrect directions for the creation of purple drank, including the use of over-the-counter medications have led to a backlash of responses.
[edit] References
- ^ a b 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. PMID 15237866, DOI:doi:10.2190/NXJ6-U60J-XTY0-09MP.
- ^ Walker, Yolanda. "Drug-laced cough syrup tempts Texas teens", WFAA, 2006-10-20. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
- ^ Demby, Eric. "Codeine Overdose Killed DJ Screw, Medical Examiner Says", MTV.com, 2001-01-11. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
- ^ Leinwand, Donna. "DEA warns of soft drink-cough syrup mix", USA Today, 2006-10-18. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.
