Purple Drank: Trayvon Martin Shooting – A year of drug use culminates in predictable violence…
Posted on May 24, 2012 by sundancecracker
  
This update, like several before it, does not stand alone. To truly understand the depth of the research and background it is important to have first read Update #26 Part 1. This Part 2 builds on the previous presentation of Trayvon Martin’s lifestyle choices and drug use connections.
This update is a creation of Treeper “Dedicated Dad“, who deserves full credit for investing numerous hours researching, learning, understanding and fitting the disconnected puzzle pieces together. What we outline here was right in front of our face the whole time. Yet we looked past it because we were in a position of ignorance about what we were looking at. We just didn’t know. Now however, it all comes together:
Several weeks ago, as the truth regarding the whole “The Passion of Saint Skittles” meme began to crumble, I stumbled over a reference to “DXM” in Trayvon’s Facebook history.
It’s nagged at me since – popping to the front of my mind from time to time when his drug-use is mentioned – but was quickly lost to other distractions. A couple of evenings ago, it was brought to the forefront for me again, and this time I decided to dig in and see if there might be something to it.
What I found is frankly stunning – so much so that it literally made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
At this point, I truly believe what you are about to read and understand is the key to this whole case – explaining a number of remaining questions about that evening’s events, most importantly what precipitated and led to Trayvon Martin’s attack on Jorge Zimmerman.
So I suppose I should start by answering the obvious: “what in the heck is Dedicated Dad talking about?”
It began with this graphic, dealing with the likelihood that Martin was a drug-dealer. (Large file version here)
Go ahead and review the whole thing, because it is good substantive background, but only background, for the rest of this discussion. We will highlight some sections of it throughout this explanation.
As I discuss these Facebook messages, I’m going to correct the ebonics unless it seems necessary to reference directly to the source — otherwise I’ll do my best to interpret it into something the rest of us can understand.
Let’s begin about mid-way down the page on the left-hand side, where Martin says:
“unow a connect for codine“
He’s seeking a source for the prescription drug Codeine. Eventually we learn that he’s not seeking pills, but rather “liquid”, which he says he’s “had…before.”
His friend responds that he doesn’t NEED codeine – that he can just mix Robitussin and soda to make…
“…some fire @$$ lean.”
Our first question then becomes “What exactly is “lean”"?
WHAT IS “LEAN” ? According to Urban Dictionary, “ Lean” is described as follows:
“… 6. Lean is a mixed drink originating in the Southern Rap culture. It is a mixture of Promethazine and Codeine cough syrup and a soft drink such as Sprite (usually). While other soft drinks may be used, Sprite was the original. And now also Arizona Watermelon for Watermelon Drank/Lean
There are some variations of Lean. For example, Promethazine and Codeine syrup is usually Purple in color. But there are other colors of syrup that work the same way. There is a golden-colored syrup (hydrocodone based) and other colors as well.
Lean slows you down. It makes you feel good. It’s meant to be sipped on, and it taste damn good. One of the best feelings you will ever experience. Euphoria with a hint of sedation. …”
Lean is also the drug mixture that killed Pimp C. nigga pimp c died on an overdose of lean
OK – so Trayvon is seeking a source for a powerful cough syrup, commonly used in his “culture” to make an intoxicating drink called “Lean” – also known as the infamous “purple drank/Purple Lean/Lean/Sizzurp.”
Purple Lean, or Lean, is an intoxicating beverage also known by the names lean, sizzurp, and liquid codeine. It is commonly abused by southern rappers and wannabe suburban teenagers. It is a mixture of Promethazine/Codeine cough syrup and sprite, or other beverage [ such as Arizona Watermelon] with a few jolly ranchers and/or skittles thrown in.
There are your “DXM” ” Watermelon Lean” Ingredients
Promethazine with codeine, consumed in such large amounts as is popular with such southern rappers as lil wayne, slim thug, and Big Moe, produces an opiate-like high that is potentiated by the Promethazine.
Promethazine by itself will not produce a high. The beverage must be sipped slowly, and not guzzled, in order to avoid unconsciousness and/or life threatening overdose.
But what does this have to do with Robitussin or “DXM”? Trayvon clarifies in his next message:
“codine is a higher dose of dxm”
As the conversation continues, Trayvon indicates that he plans to quit smoking marijuana because he doesn’t want to risk being busted….. ( Obviously he never did actually quit)
….. and believes he can obtain the same high by drinking “Lean” - but that’s not nearly as important as the fact that he’s clearly under the impression that Codine is a stronger form of the drug DXM.
 So… what exactly is “ DXM” ? “ DXM” is an abbreviation for the cough suppressant Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide — which is the active ingredient in the cough-syrup brand Robitussin.
According to numerous websites found with a search, DXM is increasingly being abused as a recreational drug. One of the more scholarly and scientific sites I found is “ Erowid.org“. According to its “FAQ”, Erowid is:
“…a small non-commercial organization that operates in the controversial and politically challenging niche of trying to provide accurate, specific, and responsible information about how psychoactives are used in the United States and around the world. We are committed to protecting the privacy of contributors and reporting on the topic non-judgmentally. Although our primary focus is on the Erowid.org web site, we also provide research and data for other harm reduction, health, and educational organizations.”
In short, it’s a site filled with information on various forms of drug abuse, mostly to enable the abusers to do so with as little risk as possible. As it’s not within the scope of this discussion to make any value judgements about this fact, we’ll continue our discussion – considering Erowid a valuable resource for our research and typical of the sort of information someone can easily locate on today’s Internet.
According to Erowid’s ”DXM Home Page“:
DXM is a widely available over-the-counter cough suppressant. When taken far above its standard medical dosage, it is a strong dissociative used primarily by teens.
Their “DXM Basics” page further makes clear that it is:
“…a semisynthetic opiate derivative which is legally available over-the-counter in the United States. It is most commonly found in cough suppressants, especially those with “DM” or “Tuss” in their names. It is almost always used orally, although pure DXM powder is occasionally snorted…“
At this point you’re probably thinking – as I did at first – “how bad can this stuff be if it’s available over the counter!” — but as we’ll see, it’s actually startlingly, dangerous stuff!
Erowid begins to hint at DXM’s seriousness in their “DXM Basics” discussion:
“…High doses … are sometimes compared to the effects of other dissociatives such as PCP or ketamine…”
This stuff is compared to PCP ? This is no exaggeration! DXM in higher doses is actually a very volatile and dangerous drug, and they are quite right when they compare DXM to PCP and Ketamine!
In fact, the drug has come to be known in some circles as “ Poor-Man’s PCP!”
Perhaps more importantly, unlike marijuana and many other drugs of abuse, DXM does not cause sedation, and in fact can produce profound agitation - hence the comparison to PCP. In its “ DXM Basics – Problems” section, Erowid notes:
“…DXM causes physical and psychological effects that may be frightening or unpleasant… Psychological effects can include profound disorientation, depression, a feeling of personal disintegration, or a feeling of “unreality” and disconnection that may persist for days. Chronic use may cause depression, psychological dependency, and possibly brain damage. Large doses may be associated with psychotic breaks…”
It was at this point that I first noted the feeling of the hair standing up on the back of my neck – but this sensation would become much more common and pronounced as I continued reading…
One of the best sources I’ve found for DXM info is Erowid.org’s “DXM Vault.” One article in particular was especially helpful – “ The DXM FAQ by William E. White – Version 4“, published at the previously linked site Erowid.org.
This document is, to be blunt, written for “recreational users” of DXM – those who will use it “to get high.” I will refer to “recreational use” by its proper term: Abuse.
In the document’s “Introduction”, the author notes that as the number of people abusing DXM has grown since he published the first version of his FAQ, so to the number of adverse effects and problems has also grown:
“… A few people, on the other hand, seem to be greatly susceptible to DXM addiction and some of these have suffered long-term health consequences. A very few may have suffered permanent brain damage from extremely heavy use of DXM (e.g., an 8oz bottle of Maximum Strength syrup every day). On the other hand, some people consume the same amount for years seemingly without consequence. And while some people can consume DXM regularly without psychological consequences, others suffer from severe depression and psychotic breaks, even leading to a few cases of suicide attempts…”
He goes on to note the growing indications that there is a possibility of a phenomenon called “ NMDA Antagonist Neurotoxicity (NAN)” – microscopic holes in the brain called “ Olney’s Lesions.”
For these reasons, he points out ”as of the time of his writing (coincidentally in 1995, the year Trayvon was born!) there just wasn’t any significant quantity of medical research into the long-term effects of DXM abuse, which he hopes (unsuccessfully, as it turns out) will be resolved in the following years, and notes “…Until then, my official recommendation is not to use DXM at all!“
Of course he knows that’s not going to happen, so he goes on to express his “own personal belief that DXM is probably pretty safe when used occasionally (e.g., once or twice a month) at the lower plateaus, and rarely (e.g., once or twice a year) at the higher plateaus.” He then gives hints at the otherwise unclear “data” he’s gathered by saying “I have yet to hear from anyone who used DXM with this or less frequency who has suffered any impairment, temporary or permanent. Actually, to be technically correct, nobody using it once a week for less than six months has ever seemed to have problems, but it’s always best to keep a wide safety margin…”
Unfortunately, teenage boys – especially those from Trayvon’s demographic – aren’t known for their temperance, much less “keep[ing] a wide safety margin.” On the contrary, it’s likely that a young man like Trayvon would consider Robitussin an easily obtained standby for times when marijuana was unavailable – he’s already expressed that it gives him “the same vibe” – and he in fact is likely to PREFER the DXM as it’s less likely to get him “roped” (ie:busted). Ergo the odds of him limiting his use to “once a week for less than six months” is nonexistent!
Even more troublingly, the author goes on to note:
“Another thing to keep in mind is that DXM in the upper plateaus is a considerably different experience than the lower plateaus, and may be better suited to spiritual or ritual use. Even at the lower plateaus, DXM is not really well suited as a frequent recreational drug
… In summary, I’m not nearly as convinced that DXM is a benevolent psychedelic as I used to be. It is in many ways considerably more powerful (and certainly more dangerous) than LSD or mushrooms. Like all psychedelics it can profoundly change you; unlike others, these changes are not necessarily under your control, especially if you are not very familiar with yourself.
I don’t think there are too many people less “familiar with themselves” than teenagers – whose “self” is still forming! My concern was growing, but this next bit set it over the limit:
DXM can be a great tool for spiritual rebirth, but it can also turn you into a paranoid, antisocial asshole… It is a unique and uniquely powerful mind-altering drug, and one which I think most people would do best to avoid. “
In short, the “drug-user world’s” foremost “expert” on DXM abuse is clearly advising against regular, chronic use for some very good reasons – but if someone like Trayvon were even aware of such a recommendation he’d be unlikely to heed it – remember, this is a young man who apparently has no idea what the “shift” key is for, and thinks “codeine (sic) is a higher dose of DXM.”!
Ergo, the odds of him stumbling ignorantly into enough of a habit to render himself “A paranoid, antisocial asshole” – (like someone who might,… say,… attack a little Mestizo dude acting as Neighborhood Watch and attempt to beat him to death for eyeballing Trayvon from a truck ?!) – are probably approaching 100%!
But… Let’s read on!
Physiology of DXM / Lean Use We know from Trayvon’s own words that he’s experienced “lean” – and since he knows what DXM is – but thinks the promethazine/codeine cocktail is “a higher dose” then he’s also experienced DXM, at least at a “lower plateau.”
In answer to the question “ What’s the DXM Trip Like” the author says:
“Well, that depends on how much you take. There are four different kinds of experiences, based on the dosage; these are called plateaus.
The first plateau is a mild stimulant effect with a little bit of a buzz, and has been compared to MDA [a more psychedelic cousin of MDMA -aka-"Ecstasy"]. The second plateau is more intoxicating and has been compared to being drunk and stoned at the same time. The third plateau is dissociative, like a lower dose of ketamine. The fourth plateau is fully dissociative like a higher dose of ketamine.
You should not [emphasis original!] attempt higher plateau doses unless you have someone with you who can take care of you in case you get sick or freak out. It happens on DXM.
Many things can happen unexpectedly on upper plateaus, such as spontaneous memory recall, complex delusions, hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, and perceived contact with spiritual or alien entities. You need to be pretty stable and grounded before you can handle these things“
Could a “complex delusion” or “hallucination” – perhaps believing he was being “tracked” by an “alien entity” have explained Martin’s vicious attack on Jorge Zimmerman?!
One thing is sure – young Trayvon was CLEARLY ANYTHING BUT ”STABLE AND GROUNDED!”
In another section – “ Is DXM Dangerous” – the Author again makes note of the possibility of “bad trips…psychotic breaks…psychological addiction and depression and irreversible brain damage” – if I need to say it again at this point, THIS IS VERY VOLATILE, DANGEROUS STUFF - especially in the hands of an impulsive, immature individual like Trayvon!
One of the problems with DXM is that with long-term or regular use “most of the pleasurable effects of DXM tend to go away … Tolerance can build rapidly, leaving one only with a general sensation of being high and stupid.“
[iframe class=youtube-player height=315 src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rPOXuw9va6E?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent" frameBorder=0 width=560 type="text/html"][/iframe]In young and impulsive individuals, this can lead the person to take higher doses, looking for the same “vibe“, and thus lead the individual to accidentally find themselves on a much higher “plateau” than they intended!
Lacking both the knowledge and experience to understand what is happening to them, and the skills or assistance needed to deal with its “surprise” effects, they can suddenly find themselves in a dangerous – even potentially fatal – situation!
The “FAQ” lists the following “Risks” (among others):
- “Major Risks of Occasional Use:
- Panic Attacks
- Psychotic Breaks
- Impaired Judgement in Critical Situations (!!)
- “Risks of Regular Use and Binges:
- Mania
- Violent Ideations, Antisocial Behavior and Paranoia
- Habituation and Psychological Addiction
- Tolerance and Physical Addiction
- Psychosis
- Liver, Kidney and Pancreas Damage“
 Remember the coroners report about Trayvon’s Liver? 
In addition to the risks of DXM itself, many DXM-containing products contain other active ingredients that can be dangerous. Common additives include acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can cause fatal liver-damage in large doses. Products containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate such as Coricidin Cough and Cold should especially be avoided. See DXM Health for more information.
When you take acetaminophen, [such as would be used in making Purple/Watermelon Lean] your liver breaks it down into a substance called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine, or NAPQI, which is toxic to your liver … Your liver contains an antioxidant called glutathione that can keep NAPQI from causing damage, but too much acetaminophen reduces glutathione and leaves your liver open to harm … acetaminophen only causes liver damage if you take more than your body can handle.
We can confirm from his Facebook and Twitter Accounts that Trayvon had essentially been “sippin sippin” (using Lean or DXM) for at least a year, perhaps longer. It would appear from the Medical Examiners report Trayvon’s liver was showing the early indicators of excessive use.
Psychology of DXM Use
In the FAQ’s section on “Psychotic Breaks” the author notes:
“…Be very careful in trying to restrain the tripper, since she or he may perceive this as a threat, and will probably be mostly immune to pain...the tripper, like a cornered animal, could beat the living shit out of you without thinking twice. (!!) …”
So, Where am I going with all this? At this point, I believe that this is what happened to Martin and Zimmerman on the night of February 26th!
I believe that Trayvon Martin – experiencing the tolerance caused by chronic use of DXM - took a larger dose of DXM than he’d had before, and suffered a “psychotic break” – and the paranoia and delusions it caused led to his attack on Jorge Zimmerman and ultimately to his death!
If Martin was in the midst of a “psychotic break” exacerbated by stress due to Zimmerman’s “eyeballing him” then there’s really nothing George Zimmerman could have done! The FAQ advises a “Tripper’s” “Safety Person” to:
“…Instead of restraint, try talking him or her down. Be calm, soothing, and repeatedly remind the tripper that they have taken a drug which has critically impaired their perceptions. Remind them of who they are and how they got here, and that the experience will end…”
That sounds great – except for the fact that George Zimmerman had no idea Trayvon Martin was “Robo-tripping“, and it’s rather difficult to “be calm, soothing” and so on when the “tripper” has already snapped and is busy “beat[ing] the snot out of you without thinking twice!!“
Common Sense We know from Trayvon himself that last summer, between the school years, in or around June 2011, he was engaged in DXM/Lean and Marijuana use. We also know there are multiple behavioral side effects from DSM/Lean use. Those side affects and impacts on cognitive judgement increase with prolonged exposure. The more you use, the worse the psychological affects are.
Now consider this in the developing physiology of a teen in the full hormone raging puberty phase of 15/16/17 years of age and you can magnify those psychological and physiological affects exponentially.
Hormones = Sex = Teenage boy normal.
Hormones + psychotic psychological addiction from DXM/Lean drug effects = Super Aggressive Sexual Thoughts, actions, expressions. Teenage boy NOT normal.
      
We doubt it is coincidental that he apparently started really engaging in the DXM/Lean/Pot culture in the summer break of 2011 and then he was suspended from school three times for issues with behavior in the 2012 school year which began in August 2011.
He subscribed to the U-Tube feeds and activities in this same Summer between school years. The same timeframe he really gained interest in MMA style street fighting. This is not at all just random coincidence. As we have meticulously outlined aggressive anti-social behavior is a specific and documented side effect from DXM/Lean use.
- 7-11 Store Check out time 6:24pm - Shooting 7:17pm
- 53 minutes from the time Trayvon left the store to when he was shot.
- 53 minutes to travel .60/mile
[iframe class=youtube-player height=315 src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rPOXuw9va6E?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent" frameBorder=0 width=560 type="text/html"][/iframe] Zimmerman: Hey we’ve had some break-ins in my neighborhood, and there’s a real suspicious guy, uh, [near] Retreat View Circle, um, the best address I can give you is 111 Retreat View Circle. This guy looks like he’s up to no good, or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about.
theconservativetreehouse.com
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Im from pasadena TX ( sur east houston) ... Lean is cough syrup w/ codeine or codone... DXM is a nice addition but not nessacary... promethazine w/codiene is a fav or mine... mix 2-4 ounces Lean- sprite remix- a shot of vodka(or 2)- a couple grape, strawberry or watermellon jollies, and some sonic ice... drank while screw or spm is bangin in your speakers...
faqs.org
| 1. | purple drank | 65 up, 24 down | |
Purple Drank is a intoxicating beverage also known by the names lean, sizzurp, and liquid codeine. It is commonly abused by southern rappers and wannabe suburban teenagers. It is a mixture of Promethazine/Codeine cough syrup and sprite, with a few jolly ranchers and/or skittles thrown in. Promethazine with codeine, consumed in such large amounts as is popular with such southern rappers as lil wayne, slim thug, and Big Moe, produces an opiate-like high that is potentiated by the Promethazine. Promethazine by itself will not produce a high. The beverage must be sipped slowly, and not guzzled, in order to avoid unconciousness and/or life threatening overdose.
| | 1. | purple drank | 65 up, 24 down | |
Purple Drank is a intoxicating beverage also known by the names lean, sizzurp, and liquid codeine. It is commonly abused by southern rappers and wannabe suburban teenagers. It is a mixture of Promethazine/Codeine cough syrup and sprite, with a few jolly ranchers and/or skittles thrown in. Promethazine with codeine, consumed in such large amounts as is popular with such southern rappers as lil wayne, slim thug, and Big Moe, produces an opiate-like high that is potentiated by the Promethazine. Promethazine by itself will not produce a high. The beverage must be sipped slowly, and not guzzled, in order to avoid unconciousness and/or life threatening overdose.
| urbandictionary.com
Scores of rappers reference purple drank in their songs. Rapper Lil Wayne is addicted to it. The deaths of Pimp C and DJ Screw were linked to purple drank. Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was arrested for possession of codeine syrup without a prescription.
Purple drank was described in a New American Media article as a "new addiction among young people in inner-city communities. A legal but deadly cocktail, a mixture of Sprite and Promethazine/Codeine cough syrup."
Read more about the history of this dangerous drink, its effects, and purple drank treatment options.
What is Purple Drank?
Purple drank is a mixture of a few ounces of promethazine/codeine prescription cough syrup and 8 ounces or more of a lemon-lime soda like Sprite, Sierra Mist or 7Up. The purple comes from the syrup dye. Often, Jolly Ranchers or Skittles are added for flavor.
.....
Purple drank grew out of the underground Houston hip-hop community in the 1990s along with chopped and screwed rap music—a slowed down, remixing of rap songs using skipped beats and scratching. DJ Screw aka Robert Earl Davis Jr. is said to have originated the style of the slow chopped and screwed, which compliments purple drank's effects of relaxing the user.
DJ Screw died in 2000 of a codeine overdose. That same year, Three 6 Mafia's song "Sippin' on Some Syrup" made purple drank mainstream. The group's song "Rainbow Colors" is about adding Jolly Rancher candy to create the desired rainbow.
Around this same time, evidence of purple drank began showing up across the South from Lafayette, Louisiana to Pensacola, FL.
In a 2004 University of Texas survey, according to a USA Today article, "8.3% of Texas secondary students reported having taken enough codeine syrup to get high."
Terrence Kiel, a defensive back with the San Diego Chargers was arrested in 2006 for illegally shipping cases of prescription cough syrup to Texas.
In a 2008 MTV interview with Lil Wayne, the rapper discusses his addiction to purple drink, and how hard it is to get off it, saying it feels like "death in your stomach."
....
recoverycorps.org
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