HC DrugFree

HC DrugFree HC DrugFree is a Howard County nonprofit organization with a mission of empowering the community to raise drug-free youth.

Register to attend our Spring 2026 Guiding Good Choices® classes for parents, guardians and grandparents. Series will ru...
03/16/2026

Register to attend our Spring 2026 Guiding Good Choices® classes for parents, guardians and grandparents. Series will run April 14, 15, 21, 22 and 28 (optional class). from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Raising preteens and teens is tough. Wouldn’t it be great if adults could take a class that taught us how to help our kids avoid risky behaviors, all while learning how to say NO to drugs and alcohol? There is!

Guiding Good Choices® is an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that helps you build a stronger bond with your child, while also providing skills proven to reduce the risk of children engaging in substance use or other risky behaviors.

Learn how to:
• Prevent Drug Use in Your Family
• Develop Healthy Beliefs and Clear Standards
• Avoid Trouble and Respond to Peer Pressure
• Manage Conflict and Express Feelings Constructively
• Strengthen Family Bonds
• And More!

Learn More: https://buff.ly/X4D4BO7
Register at https://tinyurl.com/GGCSpring2026

Please include any questions or comments on the registration form.

Luck won't save you from the dangers or consequences of impaired driving. Plan a safe ride home BEFORE heading out ☘️ ...
03/16/2026

Luck won't save you from the dangers or consequences of impaired driving. Plan a safe ride home BEFORE heading out ☘️

See you on Saturday, April 25, 2026 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot for our next drive-...
03/16/2026

See you on Saturday, April 25, 2026 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot for our next drive-thru Medication Collection!

We will accept prescription and over-the-counter medication, vitamins, veterinary medication, v**e devices (with batteries removed), and more.

Pills may remain in bottles. No need to remove labels. Safely dispose of:
• Prescription Medication
• Over-the-counter meds
• Vitamins
• V**e Devices with batteries removed
• Inhalers
• Pet Medication
…and more! As we confirm accepting other items, we will update our website. At this time, we do not plan to collect sharps.

Learn More and Volunteer:
https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/

Middle school is a peak time for peer pressure. If you have a child this age, it can help to learn tips for how to speak...
03/11/2026

Middle school is a peak time for peer pressure. If you have a child this age, it can help to learn tips for how to speak with them about the dangers of drug use. Download a DEA guide — available in both English and Spanish — tailored for having a discussion with youth of this age group.

Find More Resources: https://hcdrugfree.org/for-parents-1/

https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/3-Estudiantes-de-secundaria-11-a-14-anos.pdf?Utm_campaign=20250819&Utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

March is Problem Gambling Awareness month. It is a time to learn, listen, and talk openly about problem gambling and its...
03/10/2026

March is Problem Gambling Awareness month. It is a time to learn, listen, and talk openly
about problem gambling and its impacts. Awareness helps ensure gambling
related harm isn’t minimized or overlooked.

As ma*****na laws change, some therapists and public health experts say they are seeing more concerns related to high po...
03/10/2026

As ma*****na laws change, some therapists and public health experts say they are seeing more concerns related to high potency cannabis and mental health.

Many cannabis products today contain much higher levels of THC than in the past. Experts say stronger products may increase risks such as anxiety, dependency, and in some cases psychosis for certain users.

Education and prevention remain important, especially for teens. Safe storage also helps protect youth. Cannabis products, medications, alcohol, and other substances should always be kept in a secure place and out of reach.

Read the Opinions:
https://thefederalist.com/2026/02/18/nyt-finally-admits-what-we-therapists-have-known-for-years-weed-makes-people-insane/

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/opinion/regulate-legalized-ma*****na.html

Smoking drugs or substances can expose people to harmful chemicals and serious health risks.According to experts, smokin...
03/09/2026

Smoking drugs or substances can expose people to harmful chemicals and serious health risks.

According to experts, smoking substances such as fentanyl, cannabis, methamphetamine, or to***co allows chemicals to quickly enter the bloodstream through the lungs. This can increase the risk of addiction, overdose, and long term health problems.

Understanding the risks of different substances can help people make informed decisions and protect their health.

Parents and caregivers can also help by talking with teens about substance use and keeping potentially harmful substances safely stored.

Safe storage matters. Medications and other substances should be locked, monitored, and kept out of reach of youth to prevent misuse or accidental exposure.

Source:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-outlook/202602/smoking-fentanyl-cannabis-methamphetamine-or-to***co

Happy International Women’s Day! We recognize the achievements of women and girls everywhere and celebrate the mentors, ...
03/08/2026

Happy International Women’s Day! We recognize the achievements of women and girls everywhere and celebrate the mentors, leaders, and role models who inspire the next generation to make healthy choices and create positive change.

Grandparents make a lasting impact on kids’ emotional health. Harvard research shows that stable, nurturing adult relati...
03/08/2026

Grandparents make a lasting impact on kids’ emotional health. Harvard research shows that stable, nurturing adult relationships help children handle stress and build resilience. A University of Michigan poll finds 72 percent of grandparents with grandchildren hardly ever feel isolated, highlighting how these bonds benefit both generations.

Want to support your child’s healthy choices at home? Check out Guiding Good Choices, a free program that helps families strengthen communication, set boundaries, and guide kids toward positive decisions.

Read More:

https://hcdrugfree.org/2026/02/guiding-good-choices-free-classes-for-parents-2/

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/report/three-principles-to-improve-outcomes-for-children-and-families/

https://ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/news/grandparents-help-grandkids-many-ways-reverse-may-be-true-too-poll-suggests


The start of daylight saving time means longer days, but losing an hour of sleep can disrupt routines and affect mood an...
03/08/2026

The start of daylight saving time means longer days, but losing an hour of sleep can disrupt routines and affect mood and stress levels. Experts say sleep loss can also affect decision making and increase vulnerability to substance use for some people.

Healthy sleep habits, consistent routines, and activities that do not involve substances can help during the transition. Safe storage also matters. Keep medications, alcohol, and cannabis securely stored and out of reach of youth.

View Our Article Here: https://hcdrugfree.org/2026/03/how-the-start-of-daylight-saving-time-can-affect-sleep-and-substance-use/

Substances can affect the heart in many different ways. Some can raise heart rate and blood pressure, increase the risk ...
03/07/2026

Substances can affect the heart in many different ways. Some can raise heart rate and blood pressure, increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes, or damage the heart over time. Others can disrupt the heart’s rhythm, which can be dangerous or even life threatening. Understanding how substances impact heart health is an important part of making informed and healthy choices.

Prevention also starts at home. Safe storage of medications and other substances helps reduce the risk of misuse and accidental exposure, especially among youth.

Shout out to one of our Teen Advisory Council members, Anisha, for creating this educational post and helping raise awareness among teens in our community. 👏

Cannabis related emergency room visits are increasing in some states, and a condition called Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndro...
03/07/2026

Cannabis related emergency room visits are increasing in some states, and a condition called Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is part of the reason.

CHS can occur in long term cannabis users and causes repeated episodes of severe nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Some patients experience symptoms so intense that they require emergency medical care.

Health experts say the only proven way to stop the cycle is to stop using cannabis.

As cannabis products become more common, it is important for families to understand potential health risks and have conversations with teens about substance use.

Another important prevention step is safe storage. Keep medications, cannabis products, alcohol, and other substances locked and out of reach of youth to reduce the risk of misuse or accidental exposure.

Education, awareness, and safe storage can help keep young people safer.

Read More:
https://www.counton2.com/news/national-news/cannabis-hyperemesis-syndrome-cases-surge-in-virginia-what-is-it/

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5305 Village Center Drive #206
Columbia, MD
21044

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