YoDAA is constantly in touch with our partners throughout the state to keep you up to date with new trends in substance use amongst young people. One of our regional partners has reported a spike in young people using ‘Lean’. YoDAA has put together this guide to 'Lean' and tips for minimising the harm to young people who you work with.
Popularised by Hip Hop artist Lil Wayne (who famously consumed a similar drink), Lean is a cocktail of Pain Stop (OTC codeine / paracetamol liquid), lemonade and vodka that when consumed, causes a young person to ‘Lean’ (or fall over). It is sometimes garnished with a lolly such as a gummy bear and is purple and fizzy in appearance. It is also called Purple Sprite or Purple Juice.
Outreach workers on the ground are reporting that young people are favouring Lean over other substances as all ingredients in the drink can be purchased legally.
In small, irregular doses, Lean is not as risky as it sounds. A young person can consume ½ a bottle (100ml) of Pain Stop in a 24 hour period and still be within ‘safe limits’ for paracetamol and codeine.
In large, daily doses, harms include codeine or alcohol dependence, liver damage due to high doses of paracetamol, mixing depressants and unintentional overdose.
Harm min tips for young people using Lean
- Use Pain Stop Daytime formula over Night Time formula
- Take days off using
- Don't mix with other depressants
- If using the Night Time formula, be aware that it has an extra ingredient Promethazine, this gives an added drowsy effect and at very high doses can cause seizures. If using Night Time formula, consider using a smaller amount or leave out the alcohol – that’s what Lil Wayne did.
- Dilute, dilute, dilute.
- Do not drive.
Is Lean the new legal high? Email us to report on new trends you are noticing in your AOD work.
