We all want to protect our kids and make headway in the battle against teen substance abuse and the spread of illegal drugs. Reports on illicit drug use among teenagers reveal that more than 30 percent of 8th graders have tried or are using drugs. That figure increases to almost 45 percent among 10th grade students, and up to 53 percent among 12th graders. At least 24 million Americans, many of them under age 20, have a substance abuse dependency.
But such drug dangers represent only a fraction of the problem. Most parents are not aware about the kinds of drugs today’s kids are using to get high. Scary as it may sound, it’s those insidious chemical concoctions – available in our own kitchens, bathrooms, closets, laundry areas, garages and even at our computer workstations – that could destroy the life of our children.
The New Dangers of Cheese Heroin
“Cheese” is the slang term for the highly-addictive mixture of prescribed and illicit drugs. It is made from black tar heroin – processed from morphine, extracted from the seedpod of the poppy plant – combined with crushed Tylenol PM. Its cheap cost is one reason why cheese-heroin has a great appeal among teens. Users can buy it for as little as $2 for a single dose. An entire gram (the size of a sugar packet) costs as little as $10. Both students and adults have been known to sell the drug.
Signs and symptoms of cheese usage include drowsiness, confusion and disorientation, depression, sleepiness, excessive thirst, feelings of temporary euphoria, mood swings, poor grades, memory loss and changes in friends, appearance or interests. Withdrawal symptoms range from chills, sweating and nausea/vomiting to insomnia and severe headaches. The drug enters the brain very quickly and has an effect on the entire body, particularly the central nervous system and respiratory system, and overdose can lead to death.
Additional Facts about Teen Drug Use
Many kids are looking for a buzz, but instead risking brain damage or death, by inhaling household chemicals like furniture polish, cleansers and disinfectants. Other commonly used inhalants from around the house are glue, spray deodorant, spray paint, paint thinner, propane, even whipped cream in a can.
Drugs are especially bad for teenagers because their bodies are still growing and they are still in puberty. Drug use negatively affects the development of young bodies and can severely damage vital organs like the brain, heart, liver and lungs. Cocaine, for example, can cause a heart attack even in an otherwise healthy young child or teenager.
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