A simple solution of chemicals gives off an intense feeling in the mind, body, and spirit.
Syrup, a toxic drink that contains promethazine and/or codeine mixed with Sprite, is becoming as popular as it is accessible, according to student sources, who agreed to speak anonymously. Some hip hop artists, have confessed to using the drug in their songs.

Since it is a liquid Syrup can be easier to sneak in places, even in school. One student said, “It helps me sleep, relax, and makes me feel good. It is not affecting someone else so it’s not as bad.”
Another student who only just tried the drug once said, “People probably die from it. It’s bad for your body, and these rappers promote it?”

The safety hazards of consuming this concoction vary from skill impairment, and dysfunction in consciousness. The higher the dosage of promethazine and codeine consumed elevates the danger.
Codeine is a respiratory depressant and when large amounts of it are consumed it can cause the user to stop breathing.

It takes anywhere from two to five minutes to kick in. Then the mind becomes a recluse from this world. Thirty minutes into the high, users say, hallucination occurs, and it’s like walking in another setting, talking to people whom one has never seen, and then it all goes black.

However Syrup is not the only drug students use to get high.
Spice, or K2, is a synthetic type of cannabis, but like normal cannabis users smoke it and it to get an instant high. Spice is a homemade drug containing natural herbs and synthetic chemicals. When used, it creates psychoactive effects on its consumer

In some cases Spice can be sold in common household items. In the case of the senior, the drug was given by a friend.

“He probably knew it would hurt me but I was curious.” Another senior student sees it differently. “You just smoke it and its completely legal, you can buy it at smoke shops.” However spice should not be sold at smoke shops. It is an illegal drug due to its compounds of synthetic chemicals.

One senior reflected that after passing out for an hour decided that it was a one time thing. He said he now knows what it is like to be a slave to the drug’s effects — off course and utterly high for a few minutes but detrimental to his health for the long term. His words were “I just wanted to try it. I didn’t know it could put holes in your stomach.” Spice can cause irregular heartbeat, vomiting, tremors, elevated blood pressure, seizures, and other harmful feelings and actions.

Principal Andre Phillips said he was not aware of Spice but had knowledge of Syrup. Currently there are no reported hallucinogens or use of Spice on campus. Yet there are Stagg students who admit to using Spice and Syrup routinely. But administration is not able to discipline students until it takes place on campus. In that case it would be treated as any illegal drug: three to five days of suspension and cited by the police if they wish to do so.

It is a lot harder to enforce discipline on Syrup because students can come on campus with bottles from stores and home. However, If an administrator feels suspicion he or she can contact officers to test the substance. If a person is high in school or giving off suspicions of being high Healthy Start coordinator Judy Rauzi is trained to make an assessment to see if a student has consumed drugs.

It is no doubt that these drugs contain chains of addiction. Whether it begins affecting the ratio of students who use it now or later, sacrifices will be made and prices will be paid.