Addiction in a Cup Frequently Appears in Music Videos Holding a So They Do Not Affect the Mind As Much
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PURPLE DRANK - DEADLY DRINK codeine and promethazine. In order to avoid the consequences of illegally obtaining If you are a rap or hip-hop fan, chances are prescription cough syrup, some people have tried FOR MORE INFORMATION PURPLE DRANK you have heard references to “sizzurp,” “lean,” to substitute over-the-counter versions instead. “purple sprite,” and “purple drank” in songs However, these versions have added components Go to www.intheknowzone.com for more information on substance abuse. Increase by prominent artists. The rapper Lil’ Wayne that negate the tripping effects of promethazine, your knowledge using the information, addiction in a cup frequently appears in music videos holding a so they do not affect the mind as much. “Real” statistics, images, and links. Test your Styrofoam cup, singing about the effects of Purple Drank contains unfiltered codeine and understanding with a quick quiz. what is inside it. What is this drink that is so promethazine, both powerful drugs that have the Don’t stay in the dark. popular among rappers? It’s nothing more potential to kill. Get In the Know! than prescription drug abuse, and even as musicians irresponsibly promote it with their “TEXAS TEA” from the City of SYRUP lyrics, it has killed at least three members of their own profession. While rappers send Rappers and drug users call Houston, Texas the many wrong messages to young people with “City of Syrup.” Shortly before the year 2000, their lyrics, perhaps none of them is more purple drank was developed by users in Houston dangerous than encouraging the drinking of and quickly spread throughout the southeastern Purple Drank. U.S. One rapper in particular, DJ Screw, became addicted and claimed that the drink was the WHAT IS PURPLE DRANK? inspiration for his music and lyrics. DJ Screw’s friend Big Moe popularized it even more, basing Purple Drank is a beverage, mostly consisting two of his albums on its appearance and effects. of Sprite or Mountain Dew and fruit candy. Today, even some of the best-known rappers This combination gives the drink an extremely (Ludacris, Eminem, Lil’ Wayne, and Kanye West, high sugar content, which is quite unhealthy for example) make no secret of their fondness for in itself. The deadly Purple Drank. ingredient, however, is cough syrup containing © 2012 Education Specialty Publishing, LLC P.O. Box 6986 Metairie, LA 70009 • 877-329-0578 Someone who is high on drank has no inhibitions www.ESPublish.com • product #PB-DA219 about walking into traffic, injuring himself, or trying This pamphlet may not be copied. to drive a vehicle. WHAT DOES IT DO? WHAT’s the Worst THAT COULD HAPPEN? glamorous image presented by rap lyrics, and it’s easy to see that things just don’t When someone drinks Purple Drank, several The worst-case scenario connected with purple add up. Purple Drank is not a fun pastime— things are “supposed” to happen. Codeine, drank is actually one that happens pretty often. it’s a poisonous cocktail that people keep a narcotic, slows the brain’s normal That’s because it is very easy to overdose, and drinking because they can’t stop. functioning and triggers an alteration of even if someone takes the “correct” dose, it Don’t follow Lil’ Wayne’s example. That’s K consciousness. Promethazine, if it is present turns deadly if it is combined with alcohol or advice from his own mouth during an in small amounts, intensifies the codeine’s in other drugs. Because codeine slows the brain R interview with Katie Couric: “Never in my life effect. Even this intended effect is extremely (sedates it), and promethazine increases that would I ever set out to be an example for d hazardous to the user, since it disconnects effect, Purple Drank can simply slow your brain people on how to live their lives.” Drinking him from reality and leaves him vulnerable E to the point that it stops functioning. It has the for free!) that once you’re addicted, you’ll Purple Drank can ruin or end your life. to any and every danger that might come his LY same effect on the heart and lungs, so it can have to either go broke buying more or way. Someone who is high on Drank has no stop your breathing or stop your heartbeat. Any suffer excruciating withdrawal symptoms. SIMILAR PRODUCTS inhibitions about walking into traffic, injuring ad of these effects leads to immediate death or, if With each expensive drink, you will gain the himself, or trying to drive a vehicle. E Companies and private dealers have tried to the user is fortunate, a lifelong crippling injury. benefit of shortening your brain’s life span capitalize on the popularity of Purple Drank, d and putting your most important bodily One of Purple Drank’s nicknames, “lean,” while taking away some of its hazards. Less When purple drank combines in the body with functions in danger. comes from the fact that users find potent cough syrups and herbal ingredients, alcohol, other narcotics, or any number of other themselves unbalanced and lean to one side like rose hips, are contained in counterfeit mind-altering drugs, the effect on the central WHAT HAPPENED TO DJ SCREW AND BIG when they are high. nt damag drinks called “sippin’ syrup,” “drank,” and nervous system is amplified. This situation E MOE? “lean.” Some of these drinks are even sold basically shuts down the nervous system and in stores, since they don’t contain the kills the user immediately. You don’t hear any new rap songs by DJ controlled medications in real Purple Drank. Screw or Big Moe any more. That’s because So, are these drinks safe? Doctors warn IS IT ADDICTIVE? man Purple Drank, the cool new drink that they that once you try these imitation versions, loved so much, took both their lives. DJ addiction ER you won’t be content until you try the real Take it from Lil’ Wayne, who told an interviewer Screw, combining codeine, promethazine, stuff. And once you do that, you’ve already with MTV: “It…feels like death in your stomach p and alcohol, died in 2000 at the height exposed your brain, heart, and respiratory when you stop doing that ***. You gotta learn of his career. Big Moe, failing to learn an system to an addictive killer. how to stop, you gotta go through detox. You important lesson, continued to take Purple gotta do all kinds of stuff.” Translation: Once Drank and died seven years later from a you start introducing codeine and promethazine heart attack. Pimp C, a third rapper, was to your brain, it takes hold of it and doesn’t found dead in a hotel the same year with let it go. Purple Drank is so expensive (even codeine and promethazine in his system. PURPLE DRANK IS AN though your first drink will probably be offered Compare these real-life tragedies with the ADDICTIVE, DEADLY KILLER. Once you start introducing codeine and promethazine to your brain, it takes hold of it and doesn’t let it go..