Health authorities and parents are sounding the alarm over a sharp rise in teenagers abusing “Lean” — a codeine-based cough syrup mixed with soft drinks — prompting renewed calls for tighter regulation and pharmacy oversight.
Also known as “Purple Drank”, Lean is an intoxicating drink that can cause many of the dangerous effects linked to drugs like fentanyl, OxyContin and heroin.
The substance is regarded as one of the most-used drugs by adolescents, according to the SA Depression and Anxiety Group.
Though it is not new on the streets, an “extreme” rise in its usage has been a cause for concern for Eastern Cape parents, with members of the Hillcrest community in Mthatha calling for strict regulations over the sale of codeine-based cough syrups, according to the SA Pharmacy Council.
The Eastern Cape co-ordinator at the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA), Lorraine Macdougall, said the problem was widespread among teens in the Buffalo City Metro, too.
“The problem is bigger than people think. We have assisted so many teens, especially here in BCM, and it is the same way across other regions. When we do education and awareness, the kids who are already on it are often in high school.”
Parents blame pharmaceutical companies for allowing the codeine-containing cough syrup to be easily available.
The Hillcrest parents, who agreed to speak to the Dispatch provided that they were not named, said they had identified a pharmacy in the town that had allegedly been “carelessly” selling this cough syrup.
“We went there and reported this to them. “All the other pharmacies have strict regulations when selling this but they seem to enjoy making money — yet killing our children.
“We have written to them many times to monitor how they sell these syrups because of this drug problem.
“In many cases, we have found that people buy them in bulk. I don’t know how this is even allowed.”
One Mthatha victim of the drug, a 25-year-old woman now in a rehab in Cape Town, said she had used the substance for eight years.
It was a problem not only for young people but for older people too.
“I started it in high school since it was something my friends were using, and I wanted to experiment. I’ve been using it ever since, but I am now three weeks clean.
“Some people buy it in bulk and sell it from home.”
She said she realised she was addicted when she was spending all her money on the ingredients.
“I used to spend R90 per bottle of syrup, and a day wouldn’t pass by without me drinking it. “It became a daily fix.
“Everyone in Mthatha knows where to get it and it is easily available. I would sometimes send my 18-year-old brother because he also drinks it. “It doesn’t feel like a drug, but it is.”
A 24-year-old East London man opened up about his long-term use of Lean. He has been using it since he was 18.
“For me it works as a concentration booster and calms me down while helping me to me focus.
“When buying, we look for medication that contains codeine and promethazine.”
He said getting the ingredients had become more difficult as pharmacies tightened up.
Consumers were now required to present an ID and fill out a form to help pharmacies monitor how much each individual bought.
“Some pharmacies are stricter. You’re only allowed one bottle a week, and they track your purchases.”
“When I’m refused, I just go to another pharmacy or send someone else to buy it — preferably someone who doesn’t know this lifestyle.”
He compared the effects of Lean to those of cannabis, saying: “Your whole body goes into relax mode, but without the paranoia or anxiety I get from smoking weed.”
He was aware of the dangers, but found it difficult to stop.
SA Depression and Anxiety Group co-ordinator Tebogo Ramadiro said the group shared the concerns raised by the parents in Mthatha and other communities.
“Codeine is an opioid, so ... it can lead to physical dependence, addiction and serious health risks.
“We strongly support ongoing efforts to monitor these substances.
“This trend is extremely concerning, not only because of its health risks but because of the way it is often normalised.”
Daily Dispatch
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