Running Head: INFLUENCE FROM RAPPERS ON CODEINE

Influence from Rappers on Codeine: A Review of the Literature

University of Texas at El Paso

Kathleen Maese

INFLUENCE FROM RAPPERS ON CODEINE

Abstract

There is a new addiction going around among young people in inner-city

communities. The latest trend is a legal but deadly cocktail. While music and drugs have
always been related since the dawn of culture, few drugs intertwine with a specific
culture in the way that lean is connected with hip-hop. Lean is a cocktail of
promethazine codeine syrup, soda and candy. The reason it was given that name was
because it will make you lean over when high. This literature review is meant to well
inform the reader about how the hip-hop culture has made society see this drug in a
different way, if codeine could in any way be addicting and if because of the new hip-hop
music being recorded, has the use of codeine grown. Research papers and journals have
been used to educate about the drug use of codeine being influenced by rappers from
their music.

INFLUENCE FROM RAPPERS ON CODEINE

Influence from Rappers on Codeine: A Review of the Literature

Syrup first gained notoriety in Houston, Texas among African American males
associated with the hip-hop music culture in the 1990s. The way rappers are taking
codeine is by mixing the medication with soda, juice, or jolly ranchers and is known as
purple drank, syrup, lean, or sizzurp. Promethazine/Codeine is a medication
made for the purpose of helping you with coughing, allergy symptoms, or used for pain
after any rough surgery. The improper use of drugs for nonmedical purposes not only is
damaging to health, but is harmful to society in many profound ways (Darboe,
2007). This drug is being used to feel some type of high as well as relaxed. Many
users of this drug dont acknowledge the damage it does to your body. Purple Drank
affects your central nervous system and can cause brain damage. This drink also has
many side effects like drowsiness, blurred vision, fast or irregular heartbeat, sweating, or
general confusion.

Rappers are promoting and boasting Purple Drank in their music. Most musicians
dont understand that their music is extremely influential to its listeners, but particularly
to the younger ones. The audience is being brought into danger by the rappers without
them even knowing so. Dozens of rappers have promoted promethazine/codeine laced

INFLUENCE FROM RAPPERS ON CODEINE

with Sprite as their personal drug of choice. Although rappers are only revealing the joys
of using Purple Drank through music, they rarely mention the effects of continuous use of
the drugs. Continuous use of codeine and Sprite can lead to constipation. The
constipation can lead to weight gain and increase changes for diabetes or obesity. Users
can experience hypotension. In term, low blood pressure can lead to dizziness and
fainting. Urinary retention is another effect of using codeine. It can cause users to have
difficulties urinating. As a result of inconsistent urination, urine can pass back through
your kidneys and cause sepsis and kidney failure. Once users of codeine attempt to stop
using codeine, they can develop withdrawal symptoms such as blurred vision, tremor,
abdominal cramps, anxiety, insomnia and sweating. It can also increase the chances of
experiencing a seizure. The use of the drug can affect the skin by causing rashes and skin
lesions. Some users of codeine may experience an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
This can cause a rash, throat swelling, and low blood pressure. Hypersensitivity causes
undesirable reactions by the normal immune system. Respiratory depression can occur
which can lead to shortening of breath. These are many facts rappers rather not mention
when drinking codeine.

Many concerns and questions are being made about the abuse of codeine. Mostly
parents are the ones more concerned about their teens coming across this drug. For this
reason, these three questions come up:

1. Are medical prescriptions fueling lean?

2. Are rappers today influencing lean more than before?

INFLUENCE FROM RAPPERS ON CODEINE

3. Is Promethazine/Codeine addictive?

The following review of literature will: inform about the medical prescriptions fueling
lean, discuss about the change from the past to present on influence being done on lean
more now than ever, as well as how codeine could be addicting.

Are medical prescriptions fueling lean?

Most people expect the younger ones to be the only ones that are mostly into
Lean. Today American seniors are being prescribed promethazine/codeine but the
medications most likely end up in party cocktails. Since senior citizens have the right to
have Medicare they are taking advantage of that help to get high themselves too. Another
thing they may be doing is exchanging the prescribed medications for money. Cough
and cold remedies, containing sympathomimetic and/or opioid constituents, represent a
large category of medications used with or without prescription (Mattoo, 2005).
Promethazine and Codeine is a key ingredient to the mixed drink Purple Drank. Mixed
with Sprite soda and Jolly Ranchers and served in Styrofoam cups, it is a popular party
drink and a frequent reference in hip-hop lyrics. The trade in promethazine as a
component of Lean has been documented for years. Many arrests have been done all
over the United States. Which may indicate that Medicare prescriptions could be a
significant source for at least some of the trades being done for this drug.
On the other hand many people do know that some American seniors are actually
in the need of this medication. Many seniors do use it the way it was meant to and not

INFLUENCE FROM RAPPERS ON CODEINE

abuse it in any way. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to prescription drug
misuse. There are some American seniors that do intend to try and make themselves feel
better by taking the correct amount of prescribed promethazine/codeine.

Are rappers today influencing lean more than before?

Ever since the drinking of Purple Drank grew, the United States had decided to
pull the medication used for this drink off the shelves. Not all cough syrups are being
taken away. The only cough syrup being taken away is the one manufactured by Actavis,
known as Prometh. The use of this drug is growing to the point where they are
deciding to not sell all cough syrups in pharmacies anymore. By taking some cough
syrups away it does not mean they are illegal. What is illegal is the way the rappers are
showing their audience the way they abuse it. The hip-hop industry has grown a lot ever
since the early 1990s. Compared to the 90s and now, most of the rappers in the hip-hop
industry abuse of promethazine/codeine. Technology growing more each and every day,
makes it easier to spread the word about this drug. Rappers are streaming music videos
of them enjoying a nice cup of Lean while rapping to their music. Before music videos
were rarely being made.
Back in the 1990s the people abusing promethazine/codeine were mostly African
Americans. There was a smaller population of people abusing this drug. Purple Drank
remained a local Houston phenomenon until the rapper DJ Screw released several tunes
mentioning the drink in his lyrics, which were extremely popular in the Houston area.
His type of music seemed to be appropriate for the Houston lifestyle. DJ Screw created
a slow beat version of this music that consequently endorsed the use of CPHCS

INFLUENCE FROM RAPPERS ON CODEINE

(Markham, 2007). DJ Screws invoking purple drank in his music and his use of slow
tempos, had cause his style to be characterized. Rappers outside of Houston soon
adapted aspects of his style. Houston producer DJ Screw popularized the condition,
which is widely attributed as a source of inspiration for the hip-hop music. Because of
usage by rap artists in Houston, it became more popular in the 1990s. Its use later
spread to other southern states.

Is Promethazine/Codeine addicting?
The main addictive substance in Purple Drank is the codeine which is an opiate.
Thousands of people who are addicted to opiates have built new, sober lives for
themselves after the help of drugs and rehabilitation programs. Codeine is an opium
alkaloid with a great potential of abuse among opioid consumers (Tang, 2008). Due to
the easy accessibility of cough syrup, soda and candy at most stores, many people are
susceptible to becoming exposed to this drug, especially the young impressionable ones
who idolize a pop culture icon glorifying the use of the drug. Although the abuse
potential of codeine is lower than that of stronger opioids, such as heroin or morphine,
ingestion of large doses will produce euphoric effects and it has been reported that illicit
opioid users may turn to nonprescription products if their usual opioid supplies are
unavailable (Fleming, 2006). This mixture is popular among hip hop musicians who
also endorse the abuse of this drug by others. But by doing so, they are condemning
others to a possible life of addiction.

INFLUENCE FROM RAPPERS ON CODEINE

Unfortunately, one of the signs and symptoms of Purple Drank abuse is death,
especially if the drug is mixed with others like alcohol or Ecstasy. The codeine in the
cough syrup is a breathing depressant, as is alcohol. When mixed, the effects can be fatal.
Purple Drank tends to be more abused in some locations than other. Texas, Florida and
Philadelphia are noted for higher levels of Purple Drank abuse. Abuse of this drug is
addictive because of the codeine, and it may be an entry-level drug for young people,
especially those who follow hip hop music. But in other words we do not know the
severity of this problem among youths who use codeine cough syrup (Amos, 2007).
Those who like the buzz they might get from it although it is not reported to be
addictive in itself also seek the promethazine in the cough medication.

Conclusion
When it comes to the topic of abusing promethazine/codeine it never results with
having any pros. This topic consists of mostly cons because it is a very dangerous drug
to abuse. Many people are not well informed on the things it could do to you that could
result in death if taken a big amount of doses. It is mostly important to just stay away
from purple drank to not risk anything at all. It may seem cool to do and fun but I think it
our health is more important than just one fun night.

INFLUENCE FROM RAPPERS ON CODEINE

References
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Fleming, G. F., McElnay, J. C., & Hughes, C. M. (2003). The separation of codeine from
nonprescription combination analgesic products. Substance use & Misuse, 38(9), 1217.
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Mattoo, S. K., Basu, D., Sharma, A., Balaji, M., & Malhotra, A. (1997). Abuse of codeinecontaining cough syrups: A report from india. Addiction, 92(12), 1783-1787.
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