It's been around for about two years now, but this is the first time I had heard of it. It's 'cheese' heroin. Doesn't sound like something that could be killing middle and high school kids, but it is. And the price for a lethal dose is a mere two dollars (yes, you heard me right, $2.00). Back in the *old days* when I was in school, I sometimes used my lunch money for things other than lunch (ice-cream, candy, erasers that smelled like strawberries)...But the fact is, today our children can go to school with lunch money, buy this deadly drug, and still have money leftover for ice-cream.

In case you are like me, and had never heard about this 'cheese' heroin before now, here are some of the disturbing highlights...

Deadly $2 Heroin Targets Teens -- CNN

A cheap, highly addictive drug known as "cheese heroin" has killed 21 teenagers in the Dallas area over the past two years, and authorities say they are hoping they can stop the fad before it spreads across the nation.

"Cheese heroin" is a blend of so-called black tar Mexican heroin and crushed over-the-counter medications that contain the antihistamine diphenhydramine, found in products such as Tylenol PM, police say. The sedative effects of the heroin and the nighttime sleep aids make for a deadly brew.

A young girl is Dallas Counties 23rd 'cheese' victim buried

A 17-year-old member of the Thomas Jefferson High School Liberty Belles drill team, believed to be the 23rd victim of "cheese" heroin in Dallas County, was buried Wednesday.

Officials from the Dallas County medical examiner's office said Alejandra Soto died Friday from the "toxic effects of opiates."

Imagine your child coming home with a stomachache, going to bed like any other night, but dying in their sleep from the toxic affects of this drug. That is what happened to this family from Dallas.

"My understanding is that he was complaining about a stomachache and feeling sleepy. Instead of taking him to a hospital they put him to bed," said the father, a land surveyor. "He never woke up."

Cortez's sister told police she found his body the next morning.

The 15-year-old who loved football and who traveled away from home only once in his life, on a tour of Texas, is one of 21 teens killed in the Dallas area over the past two years by a drug officials call "starter heroin." -- from Heroin Mix Killing Teens in Dallas

And as if all this wasn't enough, there are actually two other relatively new drugs that you really should be aware of, they are 'Strawberry Quick' Meth and 'Dracuweed'.

Five Moms are BlogHers blogging about how children are abusing cough medicine. They have a very insightful website designed to help you see the warning signs, and protect your kids.

Well, that's it. Pretty depressing if you ask me. But, awareness is power. And if knowing about this can help even one mom recognize a problem before it turns into a tragedy, then that's the most important thing.

I would really like to know what other BlogHers think about this latest drug to hit the middle school market. Had you known about 'cheese' heroin? How do you feel about children being able to buy heroin in school for two dollars? Do you think..."It could never happen to my kid."? Please leave a comment and let me know.

Also, if you are a BlogHer and you have been blogging about the growing epidemic of drug abuse, please comment and leave a link. Thanks.

*I plan on doing a follow-up post on "the drug war", and are we winning or losing it? Any input from other BlogHers is welcome, especially if you can provide a link to a post you have done. Feel free to contact me with information and links. Thanks so much.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters