May 3, 2007 11:09 pm US/Central
Another Possible 'Cheese' OD Death In Dallas
Students Say Drug Problem Is Out Of Control
by Steve Pickett
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Another Dallas teenager may have died of the heroin-based drug known as "Cheese."
The victim, 16-year-old Jose Almaguer, died just steps from his front door late Friday night. Memorial candles were still lit in front of the victim's house Monday afternoon.
Police say the teenager told friends he snorted "Cheese" Friday night.
Almost two-dozen deaths have been connected to the heroin and Tylenol P.M. mixture within the past two years. Fernando Cortez Jr., 15, died from an overdose on the drug on March 31.
Some students say the problem is out of control.
The drug overdoses hit too close to home for one North Texas mother.
"I don't have peace, I have to check on my daughter constantly," said the mother. "I encourage all moms to check on their kids, check under the beds, whatever you can, because it's a drug that kills."
She transferred her daughter out of Dallas' Jefferson High School because the teenager's "Cheese" addiction started there, she says.
"Kids are being peer pressured by other kids, and I think that's why they're doing all this stuff," said Jefferson High School student Marie Hernandez.
Students from Jefferson acknowledged the widespread problem with the drug.
Almost 40 students from one Dallas middle school were caught with the drug "Cheese" over the past year and a half.
Police arrested 19-year-old Luis Soto, a former Jefferson High student, last year for having 40 hits of "Cheese" on him.
"I don't think the problem is being solved up here, because there's still kids coming up here with it," said Jefferson High student Porsche Cooper.
Nienty-percent of the time, the drug is being found among young Latin teens.
Records indicated Almaguer did not attend school this year.
Tomorrow, concerned parents and students will meet at Molina High School to discuss the growing drug problem.
(CBS 11 News)
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