Feb 26, 2007 6:16 pm US/Central
DISD Steps Up Fight Against 'Cheese' Drug
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Dallas Independent School District officials say they are taking the steps to help students with the heroin and Tylenol mix known as "Cheese".
Over the past week many Dallas parents have stepped forward, claiming the problem is growing rapidly in some communities.
Some parents say they have been struggling with the drug for months or even years. And some are fearing if they don't get help, many children are going to end up dead.
"He would get up all night to blow his nose. His nose started bleeding a lot. His character changed to sudden violence. He had such a hard time with the drug." All signs, this mother says, she witnessed over and over again as her 18-year-old son battled for his life trying to beat his addiction to "Cheese".
"I don't know where it's coming from but it's very cheap," she said. "Five dollars and you have enough substance for the entire day." The woman doesn't want her identity revealed, but through a translator she told us that she wants kids and parents to know the challenges surrounding the highly addictive drug that's gaining popularity in some North Texas schools.
DISD officials say they are seeing an increase in schools located in Latino communities.
It's a situation that we dealt with in the church." Youth pastor Sam Lara at First Spanish Assemblies of God Church in Dallas says the problem is more widespread than most think. "We're working with several pastors in Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and all over the state."
Some treatment centers and rehab clinics say they are seeing an increase in teens who addicted to heroin "Cheese" and it's a hard habit to break.
Parents are concerned about resources, claiming some families have been turned away from treatment due to lack of insurance. And another problem, undocumented immigrants can't find the help they need due to their status.
The mother added, "There's no place for them to receive treatment, and there's too many young people getting hooked so quickly and they are dying."
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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