Cheese And Heroin: Exploring Similarities And Their Effects

The comparison between cheese and heroin is not a new one. In 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams sparked controversy by comparing the two, stating that food can be addictive in a similar way to drugs. However, Adams's comments were met with criticism, particularly from addiction experts who felt that such claims could contribute to stigma and moralising around substance use. Separately, there exists an illicit drug known as cheese heroin or simply cheese, which is a blend of black tar heroin and over-the-counter medications. Marketed specifically to children and teens, this dangerous and highly addictive substance has led to numerous deaths, particularly in the Dallas, Texas area.

Explore related products

Cheese Sex Death: A Bible for the Cheese Obsessed

$24.43 $32.5

Cheese Primer

$17.09 $18.95

That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life: Creative Gatherings and Self-Care with the Cheese By Numbers Method

$14.59 $28

Cheese: A Connoisseur's Guide to the World's Best

$20.36 $35

Cheese Tasting Diary: Keep Track Of And Rate All The Amazing Cheese You Have Tasted - The Perfect Gift For Cheesemonger Or Cheese Connoisseur

$6.79

The Book of Cheese: The Essential Guide to Discovering Cheeses You'll Love

$25.22 $42

Cheese heroin is a blend of black tar heroin and over-the-counter medication

Cheese heroin is a dangerous and highly addictive drug that is a blend of black tar heroin and over-the-counter medication. Black tar heroin gets its name from its colour. This drug is inexpensive, costing only a few dollars per hit, and has led to several deaths, including those of children as young as 9 years old.

The over-the-counter medication typically used in cheese heroin is a cold medication such as Tylenol PM. Tylenol PM contains acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. Very high doses of acetaminophen can cause acute liver failure and death within hours. The danger of cheese heroin is further exacerbated by the fact that users cannot know how much acetaminophen is in a given batch and therefore cannot determine a safe dose.

The combination of heroin and diphenhydramine is especially harmful as it can cause vital body functions such as breathing and heartbeat to slow down, potentially resulting in death. Since 2004, cheese heroin has been responsible for at least 40 deaths in the North Texas region, with 22 deaths specifically in Dallas County since 2005.

The abuse of cheese heroin has been largely concentrated in the Dallas area, with occasional incidents reported in other parts of the United States. Local communities and authorities have taken steps to combat the issue, such as removing Tylenol PM and similar drugs from store shelves or placing them behind prescription counters. Despite these efforts, the drug remains a serious problem, with young people being particularly vulnerable to its addictive nature.

Cheese heroin is highly addictive and dangerous, with similar side effects to heroin

Cheese heroin is a highly addictive and dangerous drug, with similar side effects to heroin. It is a combination of black tar heroin and over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol PM or Benadryl. The drug, which is snorted rather than injected, has been specifically marketed towards children and teens, with dealers targeting schoolyards and school events to lure young people into trying it. The low cost of the drug, at around $2 per hit, also makes it easily accessible to young people.

The effects of cheese heroin include a sense of euphoria, disorientation, lethargy, and feelings of hunger and thirst. The combination of heroin and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine found in OTC medications, creates a powerful sedative effect that can slow breathing to a dangerously low rate, even stopping the respiratory response altogether. This can lead to brain damage and death. The risk of overdose is further increased if the user consumes alcohol with cheese heroin, and liver damage can also occur due to the Tylenol content.

Since its emergence in Dallas, Texas, around 2004, cheese heroin has been responsible for numerous deaths, with at least 40 people, many of them children, losing their lives in the Dallas area alone. The drug's low cost and accessibility have contributed to its deadly impact, with children as young as nine being rushed to hospital emergency rooms for heroin withdrawal. The treatment approach for cheese heroin addiction is similar to that of other opioids or opiates, and medical detox and addiction treatment led by professionals are recommended to increase the chances of recovery.

The side effects of cheese heroin are similar to those of heroin, as both drugs produce euphoria and sedation by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. However, the addition of central nervous system depressants like Tylenol PM and diphenhydramine HCL in cheese heroin heightens the risk of respiratory depression and overdose. This suppression of vital body functions, including breathing and heart rate, can ultimately lead to death.

Cheese heroin is an entry drug that can lead to full-blown heroin addiction

Cheese heroin is a highly addictive drug that is a blend of black tar Mexican heroin and over-the-counter cold medication, such as Tylenol PM. The drug, costing only a couple of dollars per hit, has been marketed specifically to children. Its low price, along with claims that it will help them fit in socially or make them seem "cooler", has made it easily accessible to kids.

Cheese heroin is usually snorted with a straw, tube, or ballpoint pen and sold in small paper bundles or zip-lock baggies. It is called "cheese" due to its yellow-orange colour, resembling Parmesan cheese. The drug has been responsible for at least 40 deaths in the Dallas, Texas area since 2004, with many of the victims being children.

The combination of heroin and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine found in OTC medications, creates a powerful sedative effect. This can slow breathing to a dangerously low rate, even causing respiratory failure and death. The addition of central nervous system depressants like Tylenol PM further increases the risk of respiratory depression and overdose, leading to brain damage or death.

Because of its accessibility and low cost, cheese heroin is seen as an entry drug that can lead to full-blown heroin addiction over time. Dealers target young, naive children in schoolyards or at school events, cultivating future addicts. The treatment approach for cheese heroin addiction is similar to that of any other opioid or opiate, and medical detox and addiction treatment are recommended to increase the chances of recovery.

Explore related products

Cheese Magic: Seasonal Recipes, Plates, and Pairings

$28 $28

Cheese Please!: A guide to the therapy of cheesemaking at home

$35

The Cheese Handbook: Over 250 Varieties Described, with Recipes

$7.07 $10.95

Stuff Every Cheese Lover Should Know (Stuff You Should Know)

$10.22 $10.99

The Oxford Companion to Cheese

$45.92 $75

Cheese: The Essential Guide to Cooking with Cheese, Over 100 Recipes

$9.99 $15.99

Cheese heroin is marketed to children and teens, with dealers targeting schoolyards

Cheese heroin is a highly addictive drug that is a blend of black tar Mexican heroin and over-the-counter cold medication, such as Tylenol PM. The drug, costing only a couple of dollars per hit, is specifically marketed to children and teens. Dealers target schoolyards or school events to lure kids to the drug.

The drug is usually snorted with a straw, tube, or ballpoint pen and is sold in small paper bundles or small zip-lock baggies. The effects of the drug include a sense of euphoria, disorientation, lethargy, and feelings of hunger and thirst. The combination of the two drugs can cause vital body functions such as breathing and heartbeat to slow down and even result in death. Overdose risk is increased if the teen also consumes alcohol with cheese heroin.

Cheese heroin was first seen in Dallas, Texas, around 2004, and has since spread to other regions of North Texas. According to the Dallas Police Department, "cheese" makes up 37% of total drug usage among students. Local drugstores have taken actions to curtail the manufacturing of cheese heroin by removing products commonly used to make the drug from their shelves.

The low cost and accessibility of cheese heroin, along with claims that it will help children fit in socially or feel better, make it appealing to young people. Dealers take advantage of their naivety and cultivate them as future addicts. The marketing of cheese heroin to children and teens is a concerning issue that requires attention and action from authorities and communities to protect young individuals from the harmful effects of this drug.

Cheese heroin is cheap and accessible, costing only a couple of dollars per hit

Cheese heroin is an illicit drug that is highly addictive and dangerous. It is a combination of black tar heroin and over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol PM or Benadryl. The drug costs only a couple of dollars per hit, making it easily accessible to children, teens, and young adults. This low cost is a significant factor in the drug's accessibility and appeal to young people, who may be lured by dealers targeting schoolyards or school events.

The affordability of cheese heroin, at just $2 per hit, has contributed to its widespread use among young people in the United States, particularly in Texas. The drug's low price tag and powder form, which can be snorted rather than injected, have made it attractive to children as young as nine years old. This accessibility has resulted in cheese heroin becoming a gateway drug, leading to full-blown heroin addiction over time.

Cheese heroin is often marketed specifically to children and teens, with dealers cultivating naive children as future addicts. Initially, the majority of users in Texas were Hispanic, but the drug's pervasiveness has since spread to other regions and demographics. The allure of fitting in socially or feeling "cool" further entices children to experiment with cheese heroin, despite the severe risks involved.

The combination of heroin and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine found in OTC medications, creates a potent sedative effect. This mixture can dangerously slow breathing and even stop the respiratory response, leading to death. The addition of central nervous system depressants like Tylenol PM further increases the risk of respiratory depression and overdose. As a result, cheese heroin poses a significant threat to anyone who uses it, especially young individuals unfamiliar with the long-term dangers of opioids.

The low cost and accessibility of cheese heroin have contributed to its prevalence among young people in the United States. With a price of only a few dollars per hit, this dangerous and addictive drug has become a gateway to full-blown heroin addiction for many vulnerable individuals.

Frequently asked questions