Texas county faces growing heroin problem among teens

By Staff Writer

According to the Greater Dallas Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the number of heroin addicts seeking treatment in Dallas County has nearly doubled, many of whom are teenagers. The number of teens who have received treatment for this addiction in the county has increased from 33 in 2005 to 215 in 2010, news channel KDAF reports.

Dr. Harold Urschel, an addiction expert and author of Healing the Addicted Brain, told the news provider that drug dealers are making heroin stronger, cheaper and easier to use, all of which make it more appealing and addicting to teenagers.

Many people are aware of this growing problem in the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). For example, Brianna Bryant, a sophomore in the DISD system, told the media outlet that heroin is frequently offered and that it can be found more easily on the streets. She added that she has heard of a lot of people who are on hard drugs in her school.

DISD parent Ket Sosonekhio told the news source that parents should take responsibility for keeping their children free of drugs.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents.