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"Lean," A New Hip High
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ShareSeptember 29, 2006 1:14 PM
It's more than a drug; it's a culture. It's what's known on the street as "Lean," a highly addictive cocktail of cough syrup, cold medicine, alcohol and candy -- so potent it makes you "lean" over when high.
The drug first began to get attention a few years ago, when a popular Houston DJ overdosed on it. At that time, it was easy to make and easy to get, says Ron Peters, a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health. "As far as across Texas, across also the southern part of the United States, estimates have shown that it to be at one time a pretty common drug of choice amongst kids...anywhere from ninth grade all the way up to young adults," says Peters.
Authorities have recently tried to crack down on the drug, but while the crackdown has made it harder to get, it's also made it easier and more profitable to traffic.
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"A year and a half to two years ago the price for a pint of codeine promethazene cough syrup was about $20 and was called a deuce, and for 16 oz, which was called a PT cruiser, would go for about $120 to $125," says Peters. "Now a pint of codeine promethazene would go for anything from about $250 all the way up to $350."
Pharmacists, doctors and drug dealers from other states are getting into the act, says Peters. Terrence Kiel, a player for the San Diego Chargers, was arrested this week for allegedly shipping large quantities of prescription-strength cough syrup to Texas, where Lean is most popular. He is expected to enter a plea in court next week.
Lean is so popular that it produced a Houston-based rap called screw music named after DJ Screw, who overdosed on the drug. The music takes hip-hop beats and slows it down to a crawl, reflecting the sleepy, laid-back feeling the drug gives its users. It was even the inspiration for a Top 10 song by the Oscar-winning group Three-Six Mafia, "Sipping on Some Syrup."
Peters says the drug and the music have grown together. "One of the studies did show that a lot of children found out about what codeine promethazene was through the music," he says. "And some of them stated that their first time finding out about it was through the messages that were in this screw music."
But, Peters says, the music is a way to make parents and the community aware of what is happening. He instructs parents to "always listen to some of the music some of our kids listen to," he says. "Whether they like or not, it can give them insight into what's happening in their kids' lives and open up dialogue."
September 29, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (38)
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codeine is otc in 7 states and most other countries american antidrtug paranoia iz absurd and biased coffee iz addictive 2 lean is hjarmless and kids should drink it
Posted by: toddlissner | Feb 27, 2007 11:14:31 AM
They call it a "deuce" to describe a 2 OZ. bottle. Not a pint. A Pint is 16 OZ. And no, DXM (robitussin) is not even close to the same thing. DXM is a dissociative, not codeine(pain releiver) Most of these people, including the writers of this article are retarted and don't know what they are talking about. It's funny. And there is no alcohol mixed with it. Just codeine syrup and soda.
Posted by: SMB | Apr 7, 2007 5:50:31 PM
yeah i agree with what the person right before me said. lean you gotta get with a prescription, robitussin you buy over the counter, and is totally different. and yes a pint is 16 oz. not robitussin, its promethazine w codeine. They got liquid hydrocodone too.
Posted by: Roper | Jul 3, 2007 2:40:55 PM
Kay, first of all for all you people saying that it's Robitussin and Vodka or DMX, you're wrong. Real lean is cough syrup with codine and promethazyne mixed into some fruity soda drink(Big Red, Sprite, Fanta, Sunkist etc.) and a jolly rancher(grape). Also Screw ODed off of Amphetamines, though most people say he never took 'em.
Posted by: J | Sep 3, 2007 1:08:25 AM
a "duece" of lean is simply 2 ounces of promethazine with codeine couch syrup either by itself or poured in a fruity soda of choice.a pint of lean is sometimes called a PT or a PT CRUISER in the street and its funny that whoever wrote this article would know something like that.Dj Screw was a lean user but it is not proven to be the cause of his death. Elvis Presly died from prescription drug use and promethazine with codiene was one of the drugs used. so please dont blame our culture (rap/hiphop/screw music) blame elvis and rock n roll.
Posted by: mo city | Oct 21, 2007 8:30:59 AM
Purple lean is simply codeine and promethazine, Yellow or Orange lean is the most sought after by heavy users because it is an oral suspension of hydrocone which is significantly stronger than codeine, tussionex is yellow poly tussin is orange, both are usually mixed with sprite and drinken out of a styrafoam cup because the syrup doesnt stick to the side, some hard core sippers will drink yellow or orange right out of the bottle, so lean isnt over the counter mixed with alchohol, it is either codeine or hydrocone which are both narcotic opiates as in from the poppy plant same as morpine or heroin
Posted by: Atlien3000 | Feb 23, 2008 10:11:33 PM
I love the pic of the 1987 headbangers in an alley to show lean users!!!
Posted by: texannn | May 14, 2008 3:50:15 PM
leans messed up
Posted by: cw | May 26, 2008 1:18:44 PM
People are dying or going to die soon if they keep this up. May the lord have mercy on your soul.
Posted by: rph | Jun 4, 2008 1:29:39 AM
i think the media is exagerating way to big on this...i know alot of people in the streets and none of them are mainly dealing lean...you should be worried about more serious and popular drugs like laced marijuana or cocaine...
Posted by: jt | Jul 1, 2008 8:34:11 PM
ppl r dumb who would have fun drinking this crap y'all betta realize b4 its too late
Posted by: nn | Jul 13, 2008 4:21:37 PM
Kids these days think its cool bcuz they hear it in the music but they dont realize the dangers the drug comes with, such as addiction and getting high and doing dumb stuff
Posted by: 2 Throwed | Nov 19, 2008 2:16:42 PM
im with some of these other folks; its not the rap music. its not the rock n roll. its people. (not just kids) people want to feel the effects of something. wether it be some pot, some alchohol, caffiene, cocaine, perscription pain-killers, ecstasy pills, or any manner of other things. and by the way, "lean" is not over-the-counter cough syrup. its not robitussin. its strictly prescription cough syrup.
Posted by: marsbar. | Feb 26, 2009 1:25:37 AM
i have never done it before but i know people that do it in my school back in the day and i saw how they got high and i knew that i would never want to do that so i am just saying to all the kids not to do lean
Posted by: favian juarez | Mar 4, 2009 1:59:02 PM
yeah, I had heard about it many times before but didn't do it 'til I was a year into high school. Got addicted to over the counter cough remedies for, six months(?). That whole time was a blur, 'cause I had developed a tolerance early and had to do more and more to feel the same high. Dropped out of school for it eventually, but before that I procured a viced prescription card and started sellin' it at my school. Not over counter, the stuff that's actually "Lean"... Got banned from all public schools in New Mexico and was forced to get a G.E.D.
I would stay awake itching myself, trying to sleep(antihistamines) having an earthquake in my stomach... Scariest thing at the time. Then, in college did it once more and coughed up chunks of blood... Seriously, this isn't good for you. Don't buy into naysayers just going along with some, "voice" they feel compelled to share along with this, article(?). I used to go through a 12oz of Codeine with Prometh. a day. Before that it was 8oz of Robitussin, DAILY. It'll kill you, way to soon. Peace and love
Posted by: Marvin Lee | Mar 19, 2009 1:16:38 AM
I sip lean just bout everyday. U can OD on it but not too many people do.
Posted by: mz XTC | Jun 16, 2009 4:36:45 PM
Lean isnt that bad. I use it and only mix 2-3 oz with a bottle of sprite. As long as your not drinkin a whole bottle or even a half bottle and keep it in the 2-3oz range your good.
Posted by: Psiloeye | Jun 23, 2009 11:24:45 PM
jesus. You reporters really need to get your information right. there is absolutely NO alcohol involved. It is not "highly" addictive, it doesnt make you "lean" over. A deuce has always been 20oz. Im not an advocate of doing drugs but seriously get your information right.
Posted by: nick | Aug 18, 2009 1:11:53 AM
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