Halloween Tricks or Treats?

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Halloween: Fun for Kids, Worrisome for Parents

Halloween is a big treat for kids of all ages but can be a big worry for parents and motorists. Parents can minimize risks this October 31 by following some basic safety tips:

Parents should accompany small children around the neighborhood. Children old enough to go out on their own should go out in groups and carry a flashlight and cellphone.
Parents should warn children to cross streets carefully, and should use reflective tape on costumes so drivers can see them.
Parents should inspect all treats before letting children eat them.
Parents should practice defensive driving. Never drink and drive. Ever. Watch out for the other guy who may not take this advice to heart.

Let's all work together to keep our little ghosts and goblins safe this Halloween!

(Information provided by our partner, McFarlin Insurance Agency)

Pens Resembling Hypodermic Needles Stir Ire Amid Drug Crisis

Pens that look like hypodermic needles are being sold as Halloween novelty toys, stirring concerns among parents and drug abuse prevention advocates as the country battles a rising heroin and opioid addiction crisis. Click here to read more in the ABC News story.

Halloween is Not Just About Candy Any More!

Halloween is a popular social event for college students. Even students who do not ordinarily drink excessively might view Halloween as an opportunity to engage in high-risk drinking.

Research shows that students who drink with a specific reason to celebrate, like a holiday such as Halloween, reach higher levels of intoxication. Along with increased drinking comes negative consequences such as skipping class, falling behind in classes, injury and safety risks, and use of other drugs. Read more from The Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking and Related Problems.

Howard County Receives Grant to Combat Drug Addiction

The Howard County Department of Corrections has been awarded a $49,706 grant by the Governor's Office of Crime, Control and Prevention (GOCCP) to fight heroin and opioid addiction. Howard County received this grant as part of more than $600,000 in grants awarded to Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs and other reentry programs throughout the state. Click here to read the details in The Business Monthly's BizWeekly article.

Do You KNOW ...
the Difference Between Drug Dependence and Drug Addiction?

People who take opioids for a long time usually become physically dependent on them. That is, they experience withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped. Physical dependence is not the same thing as addiction, which is characterized by a craving for the drug and compulsive, uncontrolled use of the drug despite the harm done to the user or other people. (Merck Manual)

Comments? Email to [email protected] for our Parent/Adult Blog page.

Free Howard County Police and HC DrugFree Magnets

HC DrugFree is proud to partner with the Howard County Police Department and the Howard County Health Department to keep important phone numbers on your refrigerator or file cabinet.

Email [email protected] or call 443-325-0040 to request your magnet today!

Click here to read the magnet.

HC DrugFree's Teen Advisory Council (TAC)

HC DrugFree's Teen Advisory Council (TAC) meets one Monday evening a month from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at The Barn (Oakland Mills Village Center) and is open to all Howard County high school students. The next TAC meeting will be held on November 9. Community service hours are available. For more information, please visit www.hcdrugfree.org and go to the Teen Advisory Council page, or contact Joan Webb Scornaienchi, HC DrugFree's Executive Director at [email protected] or 443-325-0040.

Permanent Medication Disposal Boxes

Howard County residents can drop off unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications at 3 locations in the County where permanent disposal boxes have been installed. Boxes are located at the Howard County Police Northern District Station (3410 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City) open 24/7, the Howard County Police Southern District Station (11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel) open 24/7, and the Gary Arthur Community Center (2400 Route 97, Cooksville) open 7 AM to 9 PM Monday-Saturday, and 9 AM to 6 PM on Sundays.

Coming soon: HC DrugFree has partnered with the Howard County Police Department to provide additional permanent medication disposal boxes in the County...Stay tuned for more details.

Free Training to Save a Life! Opioid Overdose Response Training

If your child, spouse or friend is abusing opioids (prescription pain medicines such as Percocet or Vicodin, and street drugs such as heroin), attend the free training offered by the Howard County Health Department. The next classes are scheduled for Monday, November 16 at 5:00 PM, and Monday, December 14 at 8:00 AM at the Health Department. Register by calling the Health Department at 410-313-6202.

HC DrugFree's Newsletters are Now Archived

To read past issues of HC DrugFree's newsletters, go to www.hcdrugfree.org and click on Resources - Newsletter Archive.

If you would like to receive any of these free pamphlets, please send your name and address to [email protected].

Si le gustaria recibir uno de los folletos gratis abajo, favor de mandar su nombre y direccion fisica a [email protected].

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

[email protected]

www.hcdrugfree.org

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