Posted on 11/19/2006 9:08:05 PM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
DALLAS — A growing number of children, some as young as 11, have become addicted to a combination of heroin and over-the-counter cold medicine they call "cheese," officials said. Many of the children are buying the drug at school and snorting it through hollowed-out pens, according to officials at local drug treatment centers. Dallas' three private treatment centers for youngsters can't keep up with the demand for bed space and are placing underage drug users on waiting lists. Part of the problem is that the city has bed space for just 58 children, officials said.
"To see 11-, 12- and 13-year-olds is something very new to us," said Michelle Hemm, of the Phoenix Academy, a private residential treatment center for children. "They're babies." The typical age for children attending the academy is anywhere from 15 to 17. But "cheese" is being sold in middle schools and high schools, lowering the age of the center's clientele, Hemm said. The Phoenix Academy has received more than 40 referrals in the last few months. Nexus Recovery Center Inc. in Dallas and Dallas County's juvenile services department also show an increased number of "cheese" addiction cases. Timberlawn Mental Health System has treated one to two youths each week for "cheese" use, chief executive officer Craig Nuckles said.
The drug is turning up at more campuses and in greater quantities than last school year, school officials said. It is unclear whether anyone has died from "cheese." "These kids don't realize or understand that even though you call it cheese, and it's got a cutesy name, it's heroin — highly addictive heroin that's been around for centuries," said Detective Monty Moncibais, of the Dallas Police Department's narcotics division. Black tar heroin makes up to 8 percent of the mixture and its cut with crushed Tylenol PM tablets that can be snorted. It sells for about $2. The large amount of Tylenol is also dangerous and can cause liver failure, said Dr. Sing-Yi Feng, a toxicologist at Children's Medical Center of Dallas.
Make it more illegal that works.
Ahhh behold the power of cheese!
"To see 11-, 12- and 13-year-olds is something very new to us," said Michelle Hemm, of the Phoenix Academy, a private residential treatment center for children.
This is really sad. Something has to be done more the DARE programs in schools. These are almost babies still.
This very sad and scary. But I must add, if I was that age and that stuff cost $2, I would have been all over it, like mouse to cheese. Thank God for angels and God. I am glad to hear at least that they know what is going on and what to look out for. This is a first step.
And some wonder why I advocate the death penalty for heroin dealers. Scum that sell heroin to kids have no right to live.
This is really sad. Something has to be done more the DARE programs in schools. These are almost babies still.
Well I never saw it do much good either. I don't know what the answer is. I guess it has to start at home from an early age. I went thru the heroin addiction and so many rehabs with my oldest daughter. Finally jail is what saved her. I just refused to get her out anymore. I was truly clueless to the fact she was even using it at 16 yrs old. What a wakeup call that was and what hell she put us through. I have zero tolerance towards drugs and kids. Anyone who sells drugs to an 11 yr old needs a long time in jail too. More needs to be done I just don't know what it is. 11 yrs old is just too young to be trying or dying from drugs.
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