GDCADA | Heroin - Facts and Statistics

Home < Drug Info < Heroin

COUNCIL COORDINATES
"CHEESE" HEROIN TASK FORCE

What is it ?
"Cheese" is heroin.

A dangerous combination of Mexican black-tar heroin and nighttime pain relievers has taken a toll on Dallas youth, contributing to lethal overdoses, hospitalizations, and an overwhelming demand for substance abuse treatment and prevention services.

Inhaled heroin is generally "cut" with another substance, such as Benadryl, and is not a new phenomenon. However, the recent outbreak in Dallas is unique for two reasons: (1) Hispanic youth have been impacted disproportionately; and (2) the drug is attracting young teens and pre-teens: many do not realize its potential danger. Children as young as 9 or 10 have presented to school clinics, hospital emergency rooms and drug treatment centers for acute heroin withdrawal.

Cheese/Heroin is Highly Addictive
"Since cheese/heroin is inhaled, rather than injected, some teens do not believe it carries the same risks," says Alison Watros, Prevention Resource Center Program Director at the Council. "It is highly addictive and can potentially lead to injecting heroin use."

Because cheese/heroin is sold for as little as $2 a dose, it is easy for youth to obtain. While it may contain as little as 2% heroin, heroin in any amount is still extremely addictive and life-threatening. Heroin and diphenhydramine HCL (sleep aid) are both depressants and can contribute to respiratory arrest, especially if combined with other depressants such as alcohol.

Community Collaborates to Fight Back
Last year, the Dallas County Cheese/Heroin Task Force was created to improve communication and provide coordinated action planning to attack this drug crisis. Concerned citizens, law enforcement personnel, educators, health professionals, and government officials have joined forces to facilitate accurate data collection, parent and student education, media messages and community outreach.

Debbie Meripolski, Executive Director of the Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, chairs the Task Force. "We've taken a strong proactive approach to this problem by bringing this group of people and agencies together. A collaborative approach has the best chance of achieving positive outcomes." The group represents many community sectors and includes: Dallas County Commission, Dallas ISD, Dallas Police Department, Dallas County Juvenile Department, Dallas County Health Department, DEA, Parkland Hospital, North Texas Poison Control, community advocates, substance abuse treatment centers and prevention providers.

The Task Force, a group of more than 60 community leaders and representatives from these agencies, is organized into seven focused workgroups: Data Collection, Prevention/Education, Treatment, Law Enforcement, Recovery, Media Relations, and Fundraising

Although we never can do enough to ensure the safety of our youth, significant work has been done to tackle the problems associated with inhaled heroin:

Five one-day professional conferences were held to train school, health and law enforcement professionals.
Law enforcement agencies stepped up enforcement in the most heavily affected schools and neighborhoods, resulting in increased arrests for heroin possession and distribution.
School representatives strategically planned and implemented parent academies, student-created prevention messages, increased teacher and counselor training, treatment re-entry protocols, and unique prevention campaigns.
Prevention providers launched new educational programs utilizing evidence-based in-school curriculum, presentations, street outreach, and broad distribution of materials, printed in both English and Spanish. Partial funding was obtained from the Department of State Health Services.
Public awareness campaigns are being carried out through the media. Fox 4 donated the production of public service announcements in both English and Spanish. The Texas Attorney General allocated monies to purchase broadcast time above and beyond what Fox, Univision and Telemundo were already providing pro bono.
Sports and recreation are positive alternatives to drug use and other risky behaviors. Through the efforts of Acción America, a comprehensive sports and education program was launched. This includes the development of new soccer teams, baseball teams and other recreational activities.
Substance abuse treatment providers have been working with one another and with the state to maximize treatment options for youth who have become addicted to heroin.

"Cheese" Heroin Resources

Video