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.
What is it?
Black tar heroin mixed with medication containing the antihistamine diphenhydramine,
such as Tylenol PM
Who's using it?
Teenagers
How is it consumed?
Usually snorted with a tube, straw or small ballpoint pen
How is it distributed?
By juvenile or adult drug dealers in a small paper bindle or plastic baggie
How much does it cost?
As little as $2 for a single dose and
$10 for a gram
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What are a user's symptoms?
Drowsiness and lethargy, euphoria, excessive thirst, disorientation, sleepiness and hunger, sudden change in grades and friends
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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."
CNN.com senior producer Wayne Drash contributed to this report.
EYE CANDY!!
There's a different kind of Sheriff's vehicle driving around Collier County these days.
I was walking my beagle last week, and this great looking Ford Expedition came
down my street. I noticed right away that it was different. The paint job was outstanding!.
It seems that this vehicle was "Confiscated from a drug dealer". That's what it
says by the running board on each side. This vehicle is real eye candy! If you see it on
our Collier roads, or parked at an elementary school when you are picking your kids up,
take a good look. Some bad guy lost their vehicle. The good guys gained one!
John Gilmore
EVENT! Operation Medicine Cabinet
One in five teenagers has abused a prescription painkiller that was obtained from their parent's or grandparent's medicine cabinet. Teenagers, known as generation Rx, achieve an easy high from these prescription medications. In Collier County, a juvenile is hospitalized every third day for a drug or alcohol related overdose. These statistics are staggering.
Failure to dispose of expired or unused prescription drugs may result in their falling into the wrong hands. Flushing or throwing medications in the trash is improper and is harmful to humans and pets and can cause contamination to Florida's aquatic environment.
In an effort to prevent abuse of prescription medications and protect the environment, the Substance Abuse Coalition of Collier County is hosting "Operation Medicine Cabinet". This county-wide initiative encourages citizens to bring all unused or expired prescriptions to several community parks and community centers for proper disposal. Each site will be supervised by the appropriate local law enforcement agency, who will be responsible for accepting the medication and its proper disposal.
This free event will be held on March 24, 2007 from 8am to Noon at the following locations:
North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples
Immokalee Community Park, 321 North 1st Street, Immokalee
East Naples Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Trail East, Naples
Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Golden Gate
Cambier Park, 755 8th Avenue South, Naples
Mackle Park, 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island
Fleischmann Community Park, 1600 Fleischman Boulevard, Naples
Individuals who bring prescription medications to "Operation Medicine Cabinet" will be eligible for a prize drawing at noon and need not be present for the drawing. In addition, the Substance Abuse Coalition will distribute prevention materials and promotional items at this event.
Prescription drugs that are abused or used for non-medical reasons can alter brain activity, lead to dependence, can mask or cause misdiagnosis of a serious illness, can cause life-threatning injuries (driving under the influence) and can also cause coma or death.
Please contact the Substance Abuse Coalition at 239-377-0535 with any questions.
