Lean & Mean

"The other way is through armed robberies and burglaries," Fisher continues. "We get reports on that. Employees of the pharmacy steal drugs. There are a myriad of ways to get the drug. It's a very hard problem to police when you have so many people -- street people -- engaged in trying to divert drugs."

Fisher says Houston has a bigger problem than any other part of the state. "No single agency can try to enforce the world. You can't regulate millions of people who live in Texas. If they're determined to get it, they'll get it. Criminals are going to be criminals. There's no simple answer; it's a multitasking thing, a community approach. Schools, parents -- everyone can do a better job."

Demand and supply: Syrup's popularity has driven up the price, from $25 for eight ounces to $120 for the same amount.

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• Houston (Texas)
• Daphne Moore
• William Elwood
• Hip-Hop and Rap
• Dirty South

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"The majority of people who use syrup are youths," says Jeff Williams, a drug counselor at Houston Northwest Rehab. "Lots of kids use it as a downer, because of depression. They think, 'If I can stay down, not face my problems, I'll be okay.' They use that instead of dealing with their issues. Syrup is going to be around for a while. There's more promotion for it. Rappers are promoting it."

"It might be here for a long time," says Moore, the social worker. "But eventually it'll die. Then the new generation will be smoking Sheetrock or something, and there will be no more buildings left."

The consensus on Roscoe's block is that he'll end up a crackhead. It's only a matter of time before he seeks out that stronger high, starts tapping his own supply of rocks. Asked what his plans are for the future, Roscoe can barely muster a shrug. Big Moe's smooth tenor floats through the night air…

Pour you a glass
Instead of beatin' on yo ass
Take a chill pill Bill
Blow some kill, pop the steel
Since we won't be seen
Sippin' syrup till we lean
From the dirty third coast it ain't no roach G
So fill your cup to the brim and have a toast with me.