Cheese: A New Heroin High

It's been around the Texas area for about two years. So far, it has killed 20 children, and sent many more into drug rehab. What's troubling about this new "designer" heroin is its relatively low cost and use by children who haven't been into narcotics before. Where does it come from? Mexico, smuggled in and dealt out by Hispanic street dealers and gang members.

This is very bad news for law enforcement and parents. Because the cost ranges from as low as $2.00 to a high of $10.00 per packet, most children can afford this potent and very dangerous high. What exactly is cheese? It's the name for a product derived from black tar heroin, known to kids as "mickey" juice. A street dealer sells to another kid, who adds Tylenol PM crushed and mixed with water The product is then "cooked", evaporating the liquid, until the product looks like brown grainy powder. It is then sold in folded notebook paper for a set price. Users have described the effects as causing euphoria, disorientation, lethargy, sleepiness, and hunger. As with any form of heroin, "Cheese" appears to be highly addictive, and withdrawal symptoms may onset as fast as within 12 hours of cessation of use. Ref: Intel Briefing DEA.gov.

This is a trend I can foresee spreading throughout the West and Midwest very soon, if it hasn't happened already. Why? It's cheap, portable and very lucrative to major dealers. Signs of increasing heroin traffic have been apparent for quite some time. In Tacoma Washington, less than 24 hours ago, DEA busted a major heroin shipment and arrested what they believe are mid-level dealers. They seized 55 pounds of Mexican black tar heroin with an estimated street value of $2.5 million dollars. Along with the illegal drugs they also arrested two Mexicans for drug possession and having weapons.

While this was the largest bust in Tacomas history, it sends a clear signal about the market for this junk.