Save a Life!

Learn how you can save someone from an Opioid (prescription pain medicines such as Percocet or Vicodin and street drugs such as Heroin) overdose using Naloxone spray. A free training will be held on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 10:00 AM. Register by calling the Howard County Health Department at 410-313-6202. Click here to learn more.

Teen Advisory Council (TAC) Meetings

TAC is open to Howard County high school students and meetings will be held at The Barn at the Oakland Mills Village Center from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm on:

December 8th

January 12th

More dates will be announced later. For more information, check out the TAC page on our website at www.hcdrugfree.org.

The Great American Smokeout

Thursday, November 20, 2014

The American Cancer Society sponsors "The Great American Smokeout" to encourage smokers to make a plan to quit smoking or even use that day to quit. Tobacco use remains the number one preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. Click here to learn more from the American Cancer Society.

Want to Quit Smoking?

The Howard County Health Department offers free smoking cessation and tobacco treatment programs for people who live or work in Howard County. Call 410-313-6265 for more information.

Young People Who Try E-Cigarettes More Likely to Smoke

The National Youth Tobacco Surveys found a 3-fold increase in the use of electronic cigarettes among middle and high school students who had never smoked a conventional cigarette between 2011 and 2013. The surveys data also found that 43.9% of e-cigarettes users planned to try conventional cigarettes in the next year as compared to just 21.5% of nonusers. This should be a wake up call to parents and those in the public health community. Click here to read the article.

Poisonings from Liquid Nicotine on the Rise

Poison centers across the nation received more than 2,700 calls related to liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes and other electronic "vaping" devices. Half of these calls were for children under six years old exposed to a family member's supply. Liquid nicotine can be toxic to children if swallowed or by skin exposure. Click here to read the article.

Researchers Identify Link between Tobacco Use and Suicide Rates

A study published in the journal of "Nicotine and Tobacco Research found that increases in both smoke-free indoor air policies and cigarette excise taxes correlated with decreases in suicide rates. The data suggest a correlation between public policy and its impact on substance abuse and mental health issues in the community. Click here to read more from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.

If you have any questions or comments,

contact HC DrugFree Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi at [email protected] or 443-325-0040.

Please consider donating as little as $25 to support our work and become a Friend of HC DrugFree, and your name will be listed on our website. Visit www.hcdrugfree.org for a complete list of our Friends and Sponsors. Thank you for your support!