Deadly $2 'cheese heroin' aimed at teens

[THE BOUNCER]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/12/che...oin/index.html


• Authorities say there have been 21 "cheese" deaths in the Dallas area since 2005
• Schools, police have begun campaign to try to stop the drug from spreading
• Middle schoolers cheer after detective says U.S. has the most drug users
• Dad of a teenager who died says: "All it takes is once"





DALLAS, Texas (CNN) -- A cheap, highly addictive drug known as "cheese heroin" has killed 21 teenagers in the Dallas area over the past two years, and authorities say they are hoping they can stop the fad before it spreads across the nation.

"Cheese heroin" is a blend of so-called black tar Mexican heroin and crushed over-the-counter medications that contain the antihistamine diphenhydramine, found in products such as Tylenol PM, police say. The sedative effects of the heroin and the nighttime sleep aids make for a deadly brew.

"A double whammy -- you're getting two downers at once," says Dallas police detective Monty Moncibais. "If you take the body and you start slowing everything down, everything inside your body, eventually you're going to slow down the heart until it stops and, when it stops, you're dead."

Steve Robertson, a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Washington, says authorities are closely monitoring the use of "cheese" in Dallas.

Trying to keep the drug from spreading to other cities, the DEA is working with Dallas officials to raise public awareness about the problem. Authorities also are trying to identify the traffickers, Robertson says.

"We are concerned about any drug trend that is new because we want to stop it," he says.

Why should a parent outside Dallas care about what's happening there?

Robertson says it's simple: The ease of communication via the Internet and cell phones allows a drug trend to spread rapidly across the country.

"A parent in New York should be very concerned about a drug trend in Dallas, a drug trend in Kansas City, a drug trend anywhere throughout the United States," he says.
Middle schoolers acknowledge 'cheese'

"Cheese" is not only dangerous. It's cheap. About $2 for a single hit and as little as $10 per gram. The drug can be snorted with a straw or through a ballpoint pen, authorities say. It causes drowsiness and lethargy, as well as euphoria, excessive thirst and disorientation. That is, if the user survives. (Interactive: What is "cheese"? )

Authorities aren't exactly sure how the drug got its name "cheese." It's most likely because the ground-up, tan substance looks like Parmesan cheese. The other theory is it's shorthand for the Spanish word "chiva," which is street slang for heroin.

By using the name "cheese," drug dealers are marketing the low-grade heroin to a younger crowd -- many of them middle schoolers -- unaware of its potential dangers, authorities say.

"These are street dealers, dope dealers," Moncibais recently warned students at Sam Tasby Middle School. "They give you a lethal dose. What do they care?"

Moncibais then asked how many students knew a "cheese" user. Just about everyone in the auditorium raised a hand. At one point, when he mentioned that the United States has the highest rate of drug users in the world, the middle schoolers cheered.

"You know, I know being No. 1 is important, but being the No. 1 dopeheads in the world, I don't know whether [that] bears applause," Moncibais shot back.

Authorities say the number of arrests involving possession of "cheese" in the Dallas area this school year was 146, up from about 90 the year before. School is out for the summer, and authorities fear that the students, with more time on their hands, could turn to the drug.
'Cheese' as common a problem as pot

School officials and police have been holding assemblies, professional lectures, PTA meetings and classroom discussions to get the word out about the drug. A public service announcement made by Dallas students is airing on local TV, and a hotline number has been created for those seeking assistance.

Drug treatment centers in Dallas say teen "cheese" addicts are now as common as those seeking help for a marijuana addiction. "It is the first drug to have even come close in my experience here," says Michelle Hemm, director of Phoenix House in Dallas.

From September 2005 to September 2006, Phoenix House received 69 "cheese" referral calls from parents. Hemm says that in the last eight months alone, that number has nearly doubled to 136. The message from the parents is always, "My kid is using 'cheese,' " she says.

Phoenix House refers them to detoxification units first, but Hemm says at least 62 teens have received additional treatment at her facility since last September.

Fernando Cortez Sr. knows all too well how devastating cheese heroin can be. A reformed drug user who has spent time in prison, Cortez had spoken to his children about the pitfalls of drug use. He thought his 15-year-old son was on the right track.

But on March 31, his boy, Fernando "Nando" Cortez Jr., was found dead after using cheese heroin.

"I should have had a better talk with him," he says. "All it takes is once. You get high once and you die, and that's what happened to my son."

He knows it's too late for his son. Now, he is using his son's story to help others.

"All I can do is try to help people now. Help the kids, help the parents."

[Gods Son]

It takes a dumb ass to even try shit like that...

[THE BOUNCER]

Originally Posted by Gods Son

It takes a dumb ass to even try shit like that...

most are kids using it though. everyone is a dumbass at middle school age.

[JUICE]

its just sad. And there some fuckers out there who dont care about of what happens to others, just greed to make a few bucks. Here in my city, theres alot of little kids (middle/high) who use drugs and a few have overdosed. My friends little bro at 16 on some similar shit. Its just sad..

[Gods Son]

To steal a line from Charlie Daniels "If I had my way with people selling dope,Id take a big tall tree and a short piece of rope.Hang em up high and let em swing till the sun goes down"...Simpleman By The Charlie Daniels Band...

[Stonecold54]

parents fault...nobody knows how to raise a child anymore.

[freakinhuge]

Why would anyone even want to try that.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Stonecold54

parents fault...nobody knows how to raise a child anymore.

I have to agree with this to a certain extent. Drug use among younger kids is on an all time high and alot of it is because parents are afraid to be firm with their kid because of this "politically correct way to raise your children" bullshit these days. I knew not to ever touch drugs at a very early age because my dad told us if he ever caught us with or found out we were using drugs, he'd chop our fingers off. Most people these days would think that is just too harsh and that it traumatizes kids at a very early age, but that shit stuck with me and I have absolutely no complexes whatsoever. I'm actually thankful now that he was that strict.

[FitnessBrat]

Originally Posted by THE BOUNCER

most are kids using it though. everyone is a dumbass at middle school age.

Not only is that a difficult age - they say most kids don't *truly* grasp the concept of death until they're like 12 or 13. That stuff sounds completely disgusting - but there are MANY kids that are willing to do whatever you put in front of them to fit in, be cool, or just a cheap high. Sort of like adults smoking blunts dipped in embalming fluid - how disgusting is that.

[THE BOUNCER]

Originally Posted by Stonecold54

parents fault...nobody knows how to raise a child anymore.

dont agree. sure if these kids are doing drugs every night something is wrong with the parenting. BUT, the parent cant be there 24 hours a day, all it takes is one try and they are dead.

[FitnessBrat]

Originally Posted by Stonecold54

parents fault...nobody knows how to raise a child anymore.

I totall disagree and that's a little insulting to parents. There are parents that don't deserve to be - but also many doing the best they can...

[Stonecold54]

sorry...but it is...of course we aren't there 24 hours a day. I didn't say we need babysitters...I said we need PARENTS...that means a guiding source of reason..not just threats and punishments if we "do something" but for the most part I think most parents have absolutley no clue about what a child actually is. I think to most of them it is just a topic of conversation to other people about how "good johnny is" or "how well he does in school". yeah i did some stuff my parents didn't probably like, but I knew the line and I knew what the consequences to ME were, not what would be done with me "if I got caught". how many parents teach there childeren how to think? cuz the schools sure as hell aren't. if you disolve the parents resposbility then there is no one left. and FB not to be harsh but if someone can't do the best for their child they should have thought ahead far enough...it goes back to knowing what actually entails raising a child.

[THE BOUNCER]

Originally Posted by Stonecold54

sorry...but it is...of course we aren't there 24 hours a day. I didn't say we need babysitters...I said we need PARENTS...that means a guiding source of reason..not just threats and punishments if we "do something" but for the most part I think most parents have absolutley no clue about what a child actually is. I think to most of them it is just a topic of conversation to other people about how "good johnny is" or "how well he does in school". yeah i did some stuff my parents didn't probably like, but I knew the line and I knew what the consequences to ME were, not what would be done with me "if I got caught". how many parents teach there childeren how to think? cuz the schools sure as hell aren't. if you disolve the parents resposbility then there is no one left. and FB not to be harsh but if someone can't do the best for their child they should have thought ahead far enough...it goes back to knowing what actually entails raising a child.

you make good point but you are missing something. did you ever try weed or some type of drug when you were a teen? what if that 1 time you tried it, it was laced with something and you died. would you say your parents were bad?

[blm]

Originally Posted by Stonecold54

sorry...but it is...of course we aren't there 24 hours a day. I didn't say we need babysitters...I said we need PARENTS...that means a guiding source of reason..not just threats and punishments if we "do something" but for the most part I think most parents have absolutley no clue about what a child actually is. I think to most of them it is just a topic of conversation to other people about how "good johnny is" or "how well he does in school". yeah i did some stuff my parents didn't probably like, but I knew the line and I knew what the consequences to ME were, not what would be done with me "if I got caught". how many parents teach there childeren how to think? cuz the schools sure as hell aren't. if you disolve the parents resposbility then there is no one left. and FB not to be harsh but if someone can't do the best for their child they should have thought ahead far enough...it goes back to knowing what actually entails raising a child.

do you have any kids?

[Cory]

Originally Posted by THE BOUNCER

you make good point but you are missing something. did you ever try weed or some type of drug when you were a teen? what if that 1 time you tried it, it was laced with something and you died. would you say your parents were bad?

I was actually very fearful of even touching any of the stuff at a very early age and still get very disturbed at even the thought of hearing about someone even doing drugs. That was instilled in me at a very early age from my parents and I couldn't begin to know how to praise or thank them. You have to be very harsh and almost make it scary and disturbing to them at early early ages. They will thank you for it later in life when alot of their friends die from drug overdoses. I really love some of these commercials that come on TV that make it very stark and realistic about death from drugs. Makes people really think. We need alot more of this in the mainstream media.

[Stonecold54]

Originally Posted by THE BOUNCER

you make good point but you are missing something. did you ever try weed or some type of drug when you were a teen? what if that 1 time you tried it, it was laced with something and you died. would you say your parents were bad?

no I never did any drugs...never smoked a cigarette...my worst is gear which I started at age 21 after years of research. I see your point bouncer. there is always the chance of getting something bad...it could be as something as simple of a beer having something dropped in it. but you can't base life on small percents...yes they all exist...people win the lottery but you can't live your life based on the chance you will.

[Stonecold54]

Originally Posted by blm

do you have any kids?

step child i have raised since age 5....

[THE BOUNCER]

Originally Posted by Cory

I was actually very fearful of even touching any of the stuff at a very early age and still get very disturbed at even the thought of hearing about someone even doing drugs. That was instilled in me at a very early age from my parents and I couldn't begin to know how to praise or thank them. You have to be very harsh and almost make it scary and disturbing to them at early early ages. They will thank you for it later in life when alot of their friends die from drug overdoses. I really love some of these commercials that come on TV that make it very stark and realistic about death from drugs. Makes people really think. We need alot more of this in the mainstream media.

yes but people are different. you can take a different kid and raise them the exact same way as you were raised and there is still a chance they try a drug at some party or something at one point in there life. doesn't mean the parent is bad.

[THE BOUNCER]

Originally Posted by Stonecold54

no I never did any drugs...never smoked a cigarette...my worst is gear which I started at age 21 after years of research. I see your point bouncer. there is always the chance of getting something bad...it could be as something as simple of a beer having something dropped in it. but you can't base life on small percents...yes they all exist...people win the lottery but you can't live your life based on the chance you will.

i dont know what you are talking about in terms of percents and shit so i will skip that one. bottom line, if you HAD tried something and died, that would not mean that your parents were bad. that is the point.

[FitnessBrat]

Originally Posted by THE BOUNCER

yes but people are different. you can take a different kid and raise them the exact same way as you were raised and there is still a chance they try a drug at some party or something at one point in there life. doesn't mean the parent is bad.

Bingo!

I was raised knowing drugs were "bad" and always thought my friends that did them made poor/stupid decisions. Even in late teens/early 20's - I always thought "it only takes once." However, I have a brother that has taken everything in the book (stupid, yes) but we both had the same set of parents. Parents can not be blamed for every decision a child makes - that's absurd.