March is HC DrugFree's
Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Awareness Month
in Howard County  
Be a Parent, Not a Friend...Don't make alcohol available to teens
Video 4: Use and Abuse
On behalf of the Howard County Alcohol Coalition, HC DrugFree is releasing the fourth of a series of informational videos to help parents, PTSAs and other organizations to start meaningful discussions about not hosting underage parties and providing alcohol to teens. Click on the image below to view the video, click here to access talking points, and please take the brief survey when you're done.

Use and Abuse
Use and Abuse



TAC Member Running for Board of Education
Good luck to Rachel Lin, an active member of HC DrugFree's Teen Advisory Council, who is running for the Howard County Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB). Election day is April 22.  



Just Say " Know"


Teen2Teen Program - Know What It's Like  
A panel of teens and young adults in recovery will discuss their personal journeys and answer questions from the audience about youth alcohol and drug use and how it affects families in Howard County. The program will be held on Wednesday, March 25 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Atholton High School Auditorium.

 
Howard County Teens Wanted to Know!
Of the more than 8,000 questions submitted to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 869 were from Howard County teens using HC DrugFree's access code. To view all questions submitted by Howard County teens, click here or go to http://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-facts-week/chat-with-scientists/2015/transcript and enter HC DrugFree in the "search for your screen name" box.

Q: What happens if you smoke every day? 
A: If you smoke every day (cigarettes or marijuana), you are more likely to become addicted. You are also more likely to have lung disease and in the case of marijuana, if you smoke daily, it will interfere with your school activities and will increase your chances of getting into accidents.    
Q: Should I start doing Meth if my friends are doing it?  
A: I hope you wouldn't take chances with your own health and well-being simply because a friend was. People who use methamphetamine may experience anxiety, confusion, insomnia and mood disturbances and display violent behavior. Methamphetamine use can lead to addiction and causes chemical and molecular changes in the brain that can cause serious physical and cognitive problems.


HC DrugFree Teen Advisory Council Meeting 
Monday, April 13 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM 
The Barn in the Oakland Mills Village Center 
5853 Robert Oliver Place 
Columbia, MD


HoCo Film Fest 
Come celebrate as the winning films are shown, including the HC DrugFree category winner, on March 20 at
7:00 PM at the Miller Library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD.  
 
   
Senior Week : Staying Safe in Ocean City
The program will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 PM at River Hill High School, and again on Monday, April 27 at 7:00 PM at Mt. Hebron High School. We encourage all parents who are considering allowing their teens to go to Senior Week to attend this program with their teens.


National Drug Take Back Day - Save The Date! meds
The next National Drug Take Back Day is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 11 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - drop off locations to be announced shortly.
 

Know How to Save a Life!
 
Opioid Overdose Response Training
Opioid overdose response free training on Monday, March 23 at 10:00 AM at the Howard County Health Department on Stanford Blvd in Columbia. Click here for more info.   

Celebrate National "Kick Butts" Day on March 18 by Signing Up for a Smoking Cessation Class
Classes offered by the Howard County Health Department. Call 410-313-6265 for more information.

Free CPR Training 
Howard County Fire and Rescue Services is teaching a free CPR class at two locations in the County. Please click here for more information.

 

For more information, contact
Joan Webb Scornaienchi
       Executive Director
  HC DrugFree
Wilde Lake Village Center
5305 Village Center Drive, Suite 206 
Columbia, MD 21044
443-325-0040
HC DrugFree | 443-325-0040 | [email protected] | Wilde Lake Village Center
5305 Village Center Drive, Suite 206
Columbia, MD 21044
www.hcdrugfree.org