Millennial junkies

Sizzurp also known as 'purple drank syrup' or 'lean' is a mixture of codeine-based prescription cough syrup, soft drink and sweets.

What does it do?

According to a Windhoek-based pharmacist the codeine, which is an opiate, produces a feeling of euphoria. The cough syrup also contains a drug called promethazine, which acts as a sedative. The combo makes users lean over, hence the nickname 'lean'.

What's the danger?

Too much codeine and promethazine can depress the central nervous and respiratory systems and consequently, stop the functioning of the heart and lungs. Medical experts say the concoction causes nausea, dizziness, impaired vision, memory loss, hallucinations and seizures. Bottom line - it can be deadly, especially when mixed with other drugs and alcohol.

The pharmacist said most teenagers may think because something is available from the pharmacy, it is not harmful but that's not true.

How common is it?

According to another pharmacist, who preferred anonymity, lean is very common and not just used by teenagers, but adults as well.

“They do not just use cough syrup but tablets that contain codeine,” added the pharmacist.

The pharmacist added that teenagers are very clever or sly, when it comes to obtaining these medicines.

“They are cunning and sometimes send someone older to get it for them or pay a security guard to buy it on their behalf,” said the pharmacist.

While it's unclear how many people drink Sizzurp mixes in Namibia, many teenagers have started to drink these mixes and it is a cause for grave concern.

The Zone caught up with some of the teenage codeine users to find out why they consume the deadly concoctions and if they do know the debilitating consequences of their actions.

Johannes Hausiku said he consumes lean because it is a sedative and when he drinks it, it takes him to a place of comfort where all his problems fade away.

“I am aware of the side-effects of mixing cough syrup with cold drinks and it is not something I am particularly proud of because I feel I have let my parents down,” Hausiku said with concern.

Another pharmacist who was interviewed by The Zone warns teenagers to stay away from using drugs and to concentrate on their studies. “Doctors must also not prescribe syrups with codeine to just anyone,” said the pharmacist.

A lean user who only wanted to be identified as Tuese says he started using the drink from watching hip-hop videos.

“I don't really know when I started drinking codeine but I know hip-hop played a huge role in my consumption. It's a cool drug and there is nothing wrong with it,” said Tuese.

The teenager argues that lean is not as addictive as other drugs. “I don't think there are any dangers, at least nothing has happened to me and my friends,” said Tuese.

He accepts codeine consumption as a part of his lifestyle. “It is a lifestyle and it is completely safe if you know how to use it wisely,” said Tuese

Tuese further argues that since codeine is easily accessible for him and his friends and the fact that it is legally available through a prescription, it is not wrong to for him to use it.

“Why do they sell it in shops if it is dangerous, tell me that first, I have never taken an overdose and I do not know anybody else.

“How is codeine dangerous?” Tuese asked The Zone. He did admit that he uses marijuana, but codeine is his drug of choice.

“I smoke weed whenever I can but I just like to use codeine. It is a different kind of drug and it is different from weed,” said Tuese.

He said that codeine is very affordable and he does not usually use a lot of codeine.

“Compared to everything else I've tried, it is very cheap and can last for the rest of the day,” said Tuese.

He confessed that the drug does not have any after effects or hangover compared to alcohol. “If I use lean the next day I wake up very normal,” said Tuese.

The young codeine user says he is aware of the dangers of the drug but he is not moved.

“Look anything has its dangers but for me, I still have to experience it with lean.

“I have been using it for two years now and I have not had a bad day so it is fine,” said Tuese.

Asked whether he would migrate to using other, harder drugs he said it is not something he would trade codeine for. “Codeine is great, you just need to use it carefully and not abuse it.

“If I use other drugs they are not good for me,” he said. Tuese says he is not addicted to the opiate and that he can go for months without using it.

“I am a codeine user but I am far from being addicted to it, I can stay months without using it and nothing will happen to me,” said Tuese.

Deputy Commissioner Hermie van Zyl, the head of Namibian police drug squad says there aren't a lot of people using codeine and no arrests have been made linked to codeine use.

“It is not like in America where there is a total change to prescription medicine that contains codeine- or morphine-based medicines and as we know, morphine-based drugs are used by heroin addicts, and there have been no arrests or seizures of heroine at the moment,” said Van Zyl.

He also said some people use codeine to deal with drug withdrawal symptoms.

“There is some information that people use codeine after they quit using other drugs and they use it to try to cope with the after-effects of those drugs,” said Van Zyl.

Van Zyl says plans are underway to schedule and classify codeine to make it less prone to abuse. “They are already busy with a strategy to minimise its abuse,” said Van Zyl.

Shona Ngava & Michael Kayunde