Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe said Tuesday that JaMarcus Russell's arrest on Monday suggests there is a potential problem in the league with codeine abuse. "Obviously, this is something that needs to be addressed" Sharpe told USA TODAY's Jon Saraceno. "There is a trend here." Police alleged that Russell was in possession of codeine, a painkiller that is combined with alcohol to create the dangerous "purple drank" beverage. He is the third NFL player charged with a codeine-connected crime in recent years, after Johnny Jolly and the late Terrence Kiel. "Once upon a time, this was part of the subculture that was not NFL-related," Sharpe said. "When I played I never heard anybody talk about this stuff. Now you're seeing more NFL players involved with it." Source: USA Today
I thought the Ingredients of Purple Drank didn't include alcohol (I presumed it was codeine, 7UP & Jolly Ranchers?)
You definately don't mix syrup with any alcohol. Not that many people put jolly ranchers in it, unless you get the yellow syrup b/c it taste so bad. But the purple taste like candy you really don't need them. There are some clubs that made a drink with the same name to make some money. They have "purple drank" sodas they sale in gas stations down here that's supposed to help relax you also. But the real deal is promethezine w/ coedine you can only get from a pharmacy, or somebody that sales it. And 7up or sprite is good but big red is where it's at.
well, there are a lot of nfl players that used to play in the SEC so I'm sure it's a major problem .................
It's a big trend in America right now, mainly among the african american race, not just football. I've been on it recently.
I don't see how you can say there's an 'abuse problem' when these men are in the upper 5% in terms of physical condition and financial well being - I really don't see the problem here. It's not like these multi-millionaires are sticking up gas stations to buy the crap - I don't see any harm so where's the foul?
well, i see your point but it's just another thing that people are getting illegally and using as a recreational drug so it falls into the same category as weed, which is a neverending debate.
Well it's pretty undeniable that drank is far more detrimental to your overall health and well-being than weed. If you're going to lump codeine in with recreational drugs keep it with the prescription opiates and other hard synthetic drugs where it belongs.
yes. codeine is typically prescribed as a painkiller. there are many athletes that regularly take prescription painkillers. Many of those regular users become addicted to them and end up buying/selling them illegally and that's where it becomes a problem. Therefore, the usage of codeine or other synthetic drugs in a recreational fashion is no different than weed usage for recreational purposes. Both are equally illegal when used or sold for recreational purposes. And this is what Shannon Sharpe is saying. He says synthetic drug abuse (using it in an illegal, recreational fashion) is becoming a problem in the league. (on a related note: I find it ironic that Shannon Sharpe is sounding the alarm on this when I am 99.9% certain that the dude was juiced up his entire career)
You must of hit your head or something... No way in hell did Sharpe juice his entire career. His brother was/is just as jacked. And neither where ever busted for any of that. my .02
Soooo...there's a painkiller abuse problem in the NFL? No crap Shannon now go run head first into a wall.
