“Sippin’ on Some Sizzurp” Can Leave You Sittin’ in a Cell
Sizzurp is one of a number of slang terms used for a potent prescription strength cough syrup. Other names for the drug include purple drank, lean, and purple jelly, among others. There are also several potential drug combinations that, when mixed together, can produce a variation of sizzurp. But, the most popular recreational use combination is codeine and the prescription antihistamine promethazine because it’s considered to be the most potent. Regardless of the drug combination, however, sizzurp is a controlled substance and, unless it’s been prescribed to you, sizzurp is illegal. It’s also illegal to drive while under the influence of sizzurp, even if you have a prescription.
Sizzurp Drug Classification
Separate from promethazine, codeine is classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a schedule II drug, though when combined with other drugs it can fall anywhere between a schedule I and a schedule V drug on the DEA schedule list. Prescription cough syrups are currently classified as schedule V drugs. However, depending on the amount of codeine in the drug combination, the sizzurp could be classified as high as a schedule III drug. This is important because the higher the schedule number the more serious the illegal possession charges.
Sizzurp and the Law
Since there aren’t any laws that currently exist to distinguish the use of sizzurp from any other controlled substance, federal and state sentencing guidelines for the cough syrup would fall in line with the federally mandated drug schedules. Since sizzurp is a controlled substance, you will be arrested and charged with a DUI if you’re caught driving under the influence of it. What happens to you from that point is going to depend on several factors. These include:
Valid prescription: If you have a valid prescription, you will not be charged with any laws related to illegal possession of a controlled substance. If you don’t have a prescription, and the bottle is in your possession, you will be charged based on the content of the syrup. The higher the codeine content the more serious the charges.
Level of Intoxication: If you appear to be slightly drowsy to the officer who stopped you, but you have a valid prescription for the drug, it’s not unheard of that you could be released without formal charges (though you may be required to call someone to pick you up). However, if you appear to be inebriated (slurred speech, inability to pass sobriety tests), you will be charged with a DUI regardless of whether or not you have a valid prescription.
Reason for Stop: If you are pulled over by the police because they suspect you are driving while impaired, you could face charges relevant to the outcome of the investigation. However, if you were involved in an at-fault accident and you are found to have been driving under the influence of sizzurp, you will face additional, more serious charges, just as you would for being under the influence of any other controlled substance. Those charges will be dependent upon property damage and whether or not your actions resulted in injury or death to others.
Each state differs related to DUI/DWI laws. If you are under the influence of sizzurp while you’re driving, you will face criminal charges just as you would for being under the influence of any other controlled substance. Additionally, just as with any other controlled substance, you will face even more severe charges if you don’t have a prescription for the cough syrup.