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11-Year-Old Heroin Addicts: A Shocking Texas Phenomenon
November 29, 2006 10:54 AM
A new wave of 10- to 12-year-olds addicted to heroin is washing up at Dallas drug rehab centers and emergency rooms.
The preteens are mixing the powerful opiate with crushed Tylenol PM, a concoction they call "cheese," according to Michelle Hemm, Director of the Dallas Phoenix House drug treatment facility.
As reported in "The Blotter" in May, a few 11-year-olds in Dallas were using "cheese," but now that is a common phenomenon in Dallas schools.
THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS
"We've seen a huge increase in referrals for 'cheese,' and a huge decrease in the age of the kids that are being referred," said Hemm. "We've had mostly 11- and 12-year-olds in the last few months."
Hemm says she has had to turn away most of the preteen referrals because they are too young. She is only licensed to treat addicts between 13- and 17-years-old. "The young kids aren't emotionally ready for our program," said Hemm.
An exception was made for one 11-year-old whose mother lied about his age to get him admitted, according to Hemm. "The 11-year-old that we had in here had overdosed several times and had detoxed several times."
A 14-year-old who overdosed on heroin was rushed to the Dallas children's hospital ER last week in critical condition. The teen had been snorting "cheese," according to Dr. Kurt Kleinschmidt, who was on call when the patient arrived. "He should have died; it's amazing he didn't," said Kleinschmidt.
The heroin crosses the Mexican border into Texas, where traffickers sell it to high school and middle school students in Dallas, who mix it up with Tylenol PM into "cheese," according to the Dallas Independent School District Police Department.
The elementary school-aged children often get the "cheese" from older siblings at the middle school across the street from the elementary school, Hemm says her patients tell her.
DEA officials in Washington say they have not seen the "cheese" phenomenon anywhere outside of Dallas.
November 29, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (102)
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I am in "shock" these children are still babies, they should more interested in a new toy not a good high!!!!! Where are the parents of these children who are taking this so called "cheese". They must not be paying enough attention thier kids, to notice a difference in behavor...... A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!!!!
Charlie Jean
Posted by: Charlie Jean | Nov 29, 2006 1:18:28 PM
What the hell is going on?
Posted by: darrell | Nov 29, 2006 1:23:27 PM
Very sad...my generation of 10 and 11 year olds were only drinking beer and smoking weed at that age...maybe the Mexican border fence is a good idea after all...and law enforcement on the US side of the border could shoot to kill heroin smugglers on sight.
Posted by: JT | Nov 29, 2006 1:32:32 PM
You know when my friends and I were that age, we didn't even know what drugs were, and some of the words and sexual things that I have heard from children's mouths, well we didn't even know those words at that age, let alone knowing what they meant. Just incredible and so very sad.
Posted by: VLW | Nov 29, 2006 1:48:58 PM
Those on hard drugs become a burden on society for life.
Several things should change. A truly intensive effort to stop all illegal entry into the USA should be made. Any drug runners from Mexico that make it to the USA should be executed on the spot. Parents that can't parent or afford their kids should be neutered or spayed. Much of this is due to the single women / baby factories who can't afford kids and have no intention or ability to raise them.
Posted by: anagitator | Nov 29, 2006 1:52:55 PM
only drinking beer and smoking weed?? That might not be as bad as this "cheese" but its still horrible. My 9 year old sister better not ever turn up drunk or high at some 10 years old. Something is wrong.
Posted by: C. Saunders | Nov 29, 2006 1:55:59 PM
As an educator, the availability of drugs and alcohol run rampant. I believe parents are to blame, as well as society. Sex, drugs, pimps and "ho's" are glorified on TV and preteens and teens do not understand the difference between truth and fiction. Societal influence needs to change its morals or our innocent children will be exposed to more and more filth. Let the children be children.
Posted by: Della | Nov 29, 2006 2:00:50 PM
I beleive that the LORD IS COMING SOON TO THIS EARTH AND SATAN IS USING ALL OF HIS POWER ON THE YOUNG TEENS. WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART AND NOT LEAN UNTO OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. PSALMS 3.5 THE PHYSICIANS ARE DETOXING THE TEENS WITH DRUGS THAT IS NOT THE ANSWER. THE ANSWER IS TO GIVE THEM JESUS LOVE AND DICIPLINE. TO MANY TEENS ARE LEFT TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION AS A COMMUNITY WE NEED TO BRING BACK THE OLD WAY .IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD. WE ARE TO FIXED ON WHAT MAN SAYS AND NOT GOD. GOD HAS CREATED HUMAN BEINGS AND HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL OF US. MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE THAT READS THIS COMMENT. KEEP PRAYING GOD HEARS YOUR PRAYERS AND ANSWERS THEM ACCORDING TO HIS WILL
Posted by: BROWNSUGAR | Nov 29, 2006 2:20:27 PM
Absolutely disgusting, yet Charlie Jean, I don't agree with you about bringing it up to be the parents fault. It may be true that if they did something maybe the littlest something different, things would be different, but there's not much any parent can do to stop their kids from giving in to the pressures of what the "cool" things to do as a kid are now a days.
Posted by: Melissa | Nov 29, 2006 2:41:43 PM
This is such so ridiculous that 11 and 12 year olds are cmoing up ways of making drugs to get a high, they should be more focused on school and playing outside getting dirty and things most 12 year olds do. WHERE ARE THE PARENTS while these kids are snorting this so called "Cheese".
Posted by: Shan Reynolds | Nov 29, 2006 2:47:05 PM
Fifth through Eighth Grade is the worst time to be in public school. I have every intention of homeschooling during those crucial years.
Posted by: Lisa | Nov 29, 2006 3:01:57 PM
MELISSA HONESTLY THINKS THERE IS NOTHING A PARENT CAN DO TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN? THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM COMES FROM--DEFEATIST ATTITUDE. BELIEVE ME, I HAVE A SON AND DAUGHTER IN THEIR EARLY 20'S, LIVE IN A METROPOLITAN AREA AND CAN GUARANTEE YOU--IT CAN BE DONE. PARENTS SHOULD BE PARENTS UNTIL THE CHILD IS GROWN, THEN YOU CAN BE A FRIEND. HOLD AND LOVE THEM--TELL THEM HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU--THAT YOU WOULD DIE FOR THEM IF YOU HAD TO. BUT ALSO THAT YOU WON'T TAKE ANY BULL FROM THEM, THAT POOR ATTITUDE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND "IF MOMMA AIN'T HAPPY...AIN'T NOBODY HAPPY". BE STRAIGHT WITH THEM. NEVER THREATEN A PUNISHMENT YOU AREN'T WILLING TO CARRY OUT, AND LET THE PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME. A SWAT ON THE BUTT WON'T HURT IF USED SPARINGLY, BUT CONSTANT WHIPPINGS WON'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING. YELLING WILL GET YOU SHUT OUT FAST...TALK LOW AND SLOW TO GET THEIR ATTENTION. MAKE TIME FOR THEM,LISTEN TO THEM, RESPECT THEM, LOVE THEM. THEY WILL RETURN THE FAVOR IF YOU DO.
Posted by: ELLEN | Nov 29, 2006 3:02:42 PM
Yes, because Jesus solves all the world's problems. I can totally see how he saved everyone in the Middle East, and it's stopping the war right now. Great idea.
I totally agree that the parents need to become more involved in their children's daily activities. That's what parenting is all about. Asking questions and being stubborn about where children go and who they are with is the only way to keep these types of things from happening across the nation, and the globe. As for younger children getting it from older siblings, I think families need to start looking out for each other more. My older sister and I bickered when we were younger, but I still know that she would never have let me screw up like these kids are. Teaching children how to love their siblings is a huge problem these days.
Posted by: Melanie | Nov 29, 2006 3:15:26 PM
When I was a kid in Brooklyn, NY in the 60's there were 11 and 12 year olds using heroin, only it was taken by needle.
Posted by: Millie | Nov 29, 2006 3:17:36 PM
The parents are working trying to make ends meet. That my friends is where womens lib has gotten us. Now BOTH mom and dad have to work full time just to eat,heat and maybe afford a few extras. I am talking about college educated adults with "proffesional " jobs busting butt to make it. Rather than building a fence on the mexican border lets fix the disparity between the rich and the rest of us. As a middle class white person who works full time I can not immagine what it must be like for under educated under paid people to make it. You can not devote time to the kids if you are putting in 40+ hours a week.
Posted by: sally | Nov 29, 2006 3:24:35 PM
Can anyone tell me what the hell adding Tylenol PM does when mixed to heroin,that's the weirdest concoction I've ever heard of?
What are these kids thinking?
My advice to anyone reading this is to stay away from such addicting drugs,I have 3 torn discs in my back and have to take narcotics for pain,but the side effects are hell,the 2 big ones for me is it kills the appetite and constipation is a killer,I'm damned if I do,and damned if I don't take my meds.,but if I could get off this stuff I would in a heartbeat. Long term it is terrible to have to live like this.
Kids,Wake the HELL UP! Those first 6-8 times you do these type of drugs,it may feel good,but wait until you've gone futher and you need the crap to keep from getting sick,puking,having hot and cold flahes,cramps,shakes and other symptoms. And if you try and cold turkey without supervision you can die from a heart attack.........
Posted by: TEBlackmon | Nov 29, 2006 3:44:53 PM
This and other unbelievable issues are simply signs of the times. Are you paying attention? It will be quite interesting to see all of it come to a head, yet it will be quite sad because so many who think it not to be true will find it to be the extreme opposite. Don't worry, time will hush all the doubts.
Posted by: JLW | Nov 29, 2006 3:45:01 PM
yumm . . . cheesy. jk.
Posted by: cheese | Nov 29, 2006 3:47:26 PM
i think that it is awful that these young kids are doing this. I would not blame everything on the parents though. Kids are pretty smart these days and will find a way to hide what there doing most of the time. Our kids these days are subjected to more pressures than ever before, they are expected to act like grown adults than children, they have to face fears that as children we did not. Each generation it gets harder and harder because It takes Parents to work twice as hard to keep the house and children satisfied. I feel that we as adults have to talk to our children and tell them the truth about life and what drugs can and will do to them. Our kids are not stupid, they are indeed very smart, our society as a whole should help out and show these young children and young teens that there is more to life and to open there eyes to the world around them. I know because I speak from expereience on how life can be hard.
Posted by: amanda | Nov 29, 2006 3:47:39 PM
I think the parents do have a small part in this but you have to remember the peer pressure there are these days with smaller kids. They think they will be better at everything because these other kids tell them to do this and do that. Everyone has to play a part. Especially the border line from mexico and really everywhere else. There will always be drugs and somehting else bad for our kids, but we have to also parent just as well as they have to look for smugglers. Because if we dont do our job as parents, who will?
Posted by: ALICIA | Nov 29, 2006 3:50:01 PM
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