Phoenix House Tackles “Cheese” in Dallas

A dangerous new drug known as “cheese” has skyrocketed in popu­larity in Dallas area schools, spurring Phoenix House to actively combat its use through community and school pre­vention programs as well as providing treatment to adolescents already hooked on the trendy drug. Cheese, which resembles grated par­mesan, contains a hazardous mix of black tar heroin and Tylenol PM (or other medicines containing diphenhydramine). According to reports, the average user is 14 years-old and may begin dealing the drug to support their habit. More than 20 local teen deaths in Dal­las and surrounding neighborhoods have been attributed to the use of the mix since it was identified in 2005. Since that time police also have filed more than 200 criminal cases against students caught with the drug. Already identified in more than a dozen Dallas schools, it is feared that the drug may soon begin to spread across the state of Texas and beyond. Phoenix House is teaming up with school and community officials to help halt the spread of “cheese.” Experienced substance abuse prevention counselors are out in the field talking to kids about the realities of the drug and raising awareness of its dangers. At the Hill A. Feinberg Academy in Dallas, Phoenix House is already providing substance abuse treat­ment to teens struggling with addiction to the drug as well as fielding an increas­ing number of requests from parents looking for help for their children. Media outlets such as the Dallas Morn­ing News and the CBS Evening News have brought attention to the “cheese” problem and to the role of Phoenix House in preventing and treating teen substance abuse in the Dallas area. View news reports , support Phoenix House efforts in Texas and get tips on how to talk to your teen about drugs. Why kids are trying cheese: It’s easy to get. A hit costs just $2. It’s easy to hide. Cheese can be hidden inside something as small as a pen. It’s easy to make. Teens using cheese are mixing and selling the drug to other students to support their habit. Why cheese is so dangerous: It’s extremely addictive. Symptoms to watch for include abdominal pain, drowsiness, headaches and nausea. Liver failure and respiratory failure have been attributed to the use of “cheese.” More than 20 teens in the Dal­las area have already died from an overdose attributed to the use of “cheese.”