Be aware of the dangers of a new drug

Do you know about the newest drug craze called Cheese? No one really did before 2006. Cheese, which is a combination of black tar heroin and crushed up Tylenol PM, is the newest popular recreational drug among teens today.

Cheese is extremely addictive and deadly. Hits of it sell for $1 to $2. The worst part of it is that drug dealers are specifically targeting kids and young teens when selling. Normally, heroin is a drug used with adults because it is cooked on a spoon, mixed with liquid and injected by a needle.

Since younger kids and teens are not too fond of needles, they've found an alternative way of getting people to try the drug without the use of needles. The powder mixture is snorted. The drug got the name because of its look. It looks like parmesan cheese after it is mixed.

Kids who first try the drug will experience physical withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include nausea, headache and vomiting. Some of the other signs to look for in your child are grades dropping, loss of interest in activities they once loved, hanging out with a different group of friends, or having trouble at school - all of these are signs that have to be acted on right away.

Drugs that are cheap and easy to get will increase user experimentation. Also, children who start using drugs at a young age are at great risk of addiction in the future. We need to make every effort available to keep children safe from the dangers of drugs.

If you would like any alcohol- or drug-related information, contact the Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse at (732) 446-8417.

Lisa Harmon Mollicone

Manalapan