HC DRUGFREE
HC DrugFree is a non-profit in Howard County contracted by the Howard County Health Department to provide substance misuse prevention educational programs and services in the County. The HC DrugFree program brings alcohol and drug awareness to Centennial High School and all other schools in the county.
These programs are critical in giving students, parents, teachers and the administration important information about the current state of alcohol and drug issues in our school and county.
For more information about HC Drug Free's programs and to join their mailing list, please visit www.hcdrugfree.org.
CONTACT HCDrugFree at CHS: Ming Pang
Sign up at https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/ for HC DrugFree’s FREE electronic newsletter to learn about local drug/alcohol issues affecting everyone in Howard County. Learn about safe medication disposal and storage, policy changes and prevention programs to build community awareness in the County.
HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC)
TAC is for all Howard County students in 8th to 12th grades. The council provides a great opportunity for younger students to prepare for high school and for older students to develop leadership and mentoring skills. Service Learning hours are available.
TAC 2022-2023 Meeting/Event Dates
Unless otherwise advertised, TAC meets online from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Must register for each meeting/event to receive access links. Contact admin@hcdrugfree.org with questions.
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Monday, January 9, 2023 Register to receive Zoom link for the Virtual Town Hall: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TownHallRegJan2023
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Monday, February 6, 2023 Zoom link will be available in January
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Monday, March 6, 2023 Zoom link will be available in February
JOIN TAC
Download the TAC Registration Form and mail a hard copy to the office or email it to admin@hcdrugfree.org
HCPD Telephone Numbers and HC DrugFree Contact Info:
911: Police, fire, medical emergencies
410-313-2200: Non-emergencies
410-313-STOP: Anonymous tip line for underage drinking, gangs, violence
410-290-DRUG: Drug activity tip line
HC DrugFree: 443-325-0040 or www.hcdrugfree.org for drug and alcohol information.
PAST EVENTS
Medication & Sharps Collection
Saturday
October 29, 2022
10 AM - 12 PM
Clean out your unwanted and expired medicines and sharps! The next convenient drive-thru collection will be held on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot (near the Swim Center). Community service hours available. HC DrugFree and the Howard County Police invite families, student/adult groups, scout troops, religious organizations, and sports teams, etc. to volunteer to join us. Medically-trained adult volunteers are needed (nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, chiropractors, etc.) to help safely handle the medication and sharps collected.
For more information and to volunteer, visit https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/, contact Admin@hcdrugfree.org or leave a message at 443-325-0040.
Guiding Good Choices
Tuesdays
March 10, 17, 24 & 31
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Long Reach High School
Oakland Mills Middle School
9540 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia 21045
Free event open to all parents.
Guiding Good Choices is an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides the families of children
age 9-14 with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs. The program is for parents. Children age 9-14 are invited to attend the third session with their parents.
After completing the program, families will be able to:
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Influence their children to help prevent drug use and other risky behaviors.
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Develop clear family guidelines and expectations about drug use.
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Teach children how to stay out of trouble, keep their friends and still have a good time.
For more information:
Joan Webb Scornaienchi
Executive Director
443-325-0040 or Admin@hcdrugfree.org
visit HC Drug Free for more info.
Screenagers: The Next Chapter
Monday, October 7, 2019
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Mt. Hebron High School
Free event open to all adults, students age 10+.
No RSVP needed.
From the director and producers of award-winning SCREENAGERS comes a new film, Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience, about helping youth flourish in this screen- and stress-filled world.
Filmmaker and physician Delaney Ruston helps parents flip the script on stress, anxiety, and depression. What are the skills that will help kids manage their challenges now and in the future?
In what ways is screen time contributing to their ups and downs? And how can we empower our children to build emotional agility, communication savvy, and stress resilience?
Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER features cutting-edge science and insights from researchers and thought leaders to uncover evidence-based ways to support mental wellness in our youth.
The Epidemic Outside of School Hours: Know How to Invest in Your Kid's Future
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Long Reach High School
(6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, MD 21045)
Free event open to all adults. This program is for ADULTS only. No RSVP needed.
Long Reach High School is pleased to partner with HC DrugFree to bring Dr. Amelia Arria, Director, Center on Young Adult Health and Development at the University of Maryland School of Public Health to share her expertise with parents and other community members.
This presentation will focus on areas of concern for high school parents and the impact of substance use, particularly marijuana, on academic performance.
Dr. Arria’s research focuses on health risk behaviors among college students and how these issues interfere with academic performance.
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi will discuss vaping and what’s happening in Howard County. She will also have a display for parents/adults to view of hats sold locally with hidden drug pockets and many other common household items used to hide drugs.
