More Dallas Co. Teens Seek Heroin Treatment - 33 KDAF-TV

Brianna Bryant is a sophomore at Booker T. Washington High School. She said she is well aware of her peers using heroin.

"There's lots of people in DISD that I have heard of on drugs," Bryant said.

The number of heroin addicts seeking treatment in Dallas County has nearly doubled, and, according to the Greater Dallas Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, many of those are teenagers.

"I feel like [heroin's] offered more," Bryant said. "And, I feel like it's more around the streets, more than anything."

The number of teens being treated in Dallas County increased from 33 in 2005 to 215 this year.

{URSCHEL, 17:23:26} "Heroin's one of the most dangerous drugs out there."

Dr. Harold Urschel is an addiction expert and author of Healing the Addicted Brain.

Urschel said heroin is on of the most dangerous drugs available.

"Even if you're not sure if you're addicted," Urschel sai, "you should go to a doctor to get a professional evaluation. You shouldn't just take your friends' opinion on whether you're addicted, or your parents opinion. The earlier you get treated, the easier the treatment is, the faster you can get off of it and the better chance you have at having a great life."

Bryant blames DISD students using drugs on stress.

"I feel like kids do it, because there's a lot of stress from school," Bryant said, "or it could be a lot of stress from family problems. I think it just comes out of stress."

Urschel said drug dealers are making heroin stronger, cheaper and easier to use, all of which make it more appealing and addicting to teenagers.

"It actually overpowers you and becomes very addicting very quickly," Urschel said. "Treating teens with heroin addiction is a little bit different than treating adults and usually the family has to be involved a lot more."

DISD parent Ket Sosonekhio said parents should take responsibility for keeping their children free of drugs.

"Keep informed of your kid," Sosenkhio said. "What they're doing, how they're doing. Always ask them what's going on. Sometimes, if you stay quiet, it's not good."

To combat the growing heroin problem, Dallas County has created adolescent programs at more than 20 drug abuse treatment centers.

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