'Purple Drank' Popular with Carroll County Teens: National Drug Facts Week

The National Institute of Drug Abuse has designated this week as National Drug Facts Week. Patch will bring you drug trend facts from right here in Carroll County throughout this week, courtesy of the Carroll County Health Department Prevention Office.

The goal of National Drug Facts Week is to help teens shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse they get from the internet, TV, movies, music, or friends. National Drug Facts Week provides an opportunity for teens and experts to come together for an honest conversation about how drugs affect the brain, body, and behavior.

Also known as lean, sizzurp, syrup, or double cupping, Purple Drank is prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine combined with soda and candy. It is often ingested in two large foam cups. Effects of Purple Drank include euphoria, dissociation, impaired motor skills, and seizures, according to the Carroll County Health Department.

Codeine is a narcotic and use can lead to tolerance, withdrawal, and long-term addiction. Purple Drank is mentioned throughout popular music lyrics. This is a popular trend among Carroll County high school-aged youth, according to the Carroll County Health Department.