The purple drank has been a topic of conversation in the NFL due to the pending trial for suspended Green Bay Packers DE Johnny Jolly and the recent arrest of former Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell. Has this become a problem in the NFL?

This is not a topic I'm too familiar with, but NFL players having problems with recreational drugs is not a new one. The NFL can require attendance at the Rookie Symposium and they can institute a substance abuse policy, but they can't watch these players 24/7. 

There is a great article by Dr. Mark Adickes on The League at the Washington Post. The article explains what the purple drank is and where it came from, why it might not show up on a drug test, and what good can come from the stories of Jolly and Russell:

Narcotics are increasing in popularity as a recreational drug with purple drank enjoying favored status within a specific group. Hopefully the negative press associated with Russell and Jolly's troubles will prevent some folks from using. Dr. Ronald Peters from the Medical Center in Houston, Texas says "They're taking the name, and they're trying to market it to young people." He goes on to say "Purple drank is the worst thing I've seen on the street since the making of candy cigarettes."