CHEESE
The Starter Drug

According to users, the effects of "cheese" heroin include euphoria, disorientation, lethargy, sleepiness and hunger. This combination appears to be highly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms from "cheese" heroin may begin within twelve hours of use and include headache, chills, muscle pains, muscle spasms, anxiety, agitation, disorientation and disassociation.
Drug dealers, prior to the marketing of Cheese, had used the name "Cheese" to refer to other recreational drugs; for instance, dealers referred to a $10 bag of cocaine and a $5 bag of marijuana as "Macaroni and cheese." In addition, the name "Cheese" was used at one time in Denver, Colorado to refer to heroin. In news media stories, the name "cheese" is most often said to refer to the parmesan-cheese-like consistency of the powder. While its consistency may reinforce the name, a more plausible explanation for the etymology may be word play on chiva, a slang term for heroin.

This mixture has been found in middle and high schools in the Dallas, Texas area and costs around $2 per hit and $10 per gram. This is a price within a teenager’s budget. A single dose is $2.00.

Over the past two years, there have reportedly been approximately 20 teen deaths in the Dallas area due to "cheese" heroin. The number of arrests involving possession of "cheese" heroin in the Dallas area during the 2006–2007 school year was 146, which is an increase from approximately 90 such arrests the year before.

Symptoms of Use
 Drowsiness and lethargy
 Euphoria
 Excessive thirst
 Disorientation
 Sleepiness and hunger
 Sudden change in grades and friends

Symptoms of Withdrawal
 Mood Swings
 Insomnia
 Headache, chills, nausea, and vomiting
 Muscle spasms, muscle & bone pain
 Anxiety, agitation, disorientation
 May last five to six days

There are overdose risks involving “cheese.” As heroin is a central nervous system depressant, a very high risk occurs with use of other depressants. For example, alcohol, and prescription medication are two sources that can lead to overdose in conjunction with “cheese.” The link between physical dependence and addiction is partly psychological and sociological, and thus varies from person to person (and culture to culture), as has been documented in the work of Alfred Lindesmith, an Indiana University professor of sociology, and others.

Is this drug going to take over the country like methamphetamine has done already? I doubt it. I would suggest that “cheese” and “Strawberry Quick” are like big foot. They are allusive and the sightings are rarely seen.