Sip something else: Police issue ‘purple drank’ warning
Posted May 13, 2016 1:21 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Halton police have issued a warning about a blend of cough syrup and pop that is familiar to anyone with more than a passing interest in music.
Purple drank, also known as sizzurp or lean, may not be as familiar to the parents of those people.
Police said Friday they have received reports of young people consuming ‘syrup,’ or prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine mixed with soda. Sometimes, Jolly Ranchers are added.
The name comes from the colour of the cough syrup, but it’s known by many other monikers including Texas tea, and, simply, drank.
Police warn it is “referenced frequently in some popular music and has now become increasingly popular among youth.”
Codeine, police said, is an opioid that can produce relaxation and euphoria when consumed in sufficient quantities. Promethazine is an antihistamine that also acts as a sedative.
The danger is that there is a risk of a fatal overdose due to the effect of codeine, which can slow or stop the heart and lungs. Mixing ‘purple drank’ with alcohol greatly increases the risk.
