As Americans reduce their alcohol consumption, a new product category is rapidly gaining popularity: THC-infused cannabis beverages. Often marketed as low-calorie, alcohol-free alternatives, these drinks are now appearing in bars, grocery stores, and major retail chains. Industry analysts expect sales to grow significantly over the next decade. While cannabis drinks are frequently framed as a…
As marijuana becomes legal in more states, cannabis-infused products are becoming increasingly common in homes across the country. Among the most concerning of these products are THC-infused edibles—such as gummies, chocolates, cookies, and candies—which often look nearly identical to ordinary treats. For young children, especially those under the age of five, this resemblance poses a…
A dangerous new class of synthetic opioids, nitazenes, is driving overdose deaths across the U.S., Europe, and Australia. These drugs can be up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl, making even tiny amounts potentially lethal. Nitazenes appeal to drug traffickers because of their extreme potency and low production cost. For users, that potency translates…
Counterfeit prescription pills are becoming an increasingly serious threat in our community. Many are laced with illegal fentanyl and other dangerous substances, and too often, people have no idea what’s inside. HC DrugFree is proud to align this year’s PSA category with national public awareness efforts, including the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill campaign, to…
Methamphetamine use is no longer a problem confined to the West Coast or specific subcultures. Across the United States, meth is increasingly intertwined with the fentanyl crisis, creating a dangerous and often deadly drug landscape that looks very different from past decades. This pairing, sometimes referred to as synthetic speedballing, combines a powerful stimulant (methamphetamine)…
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, HC DrugFree’s Medication Collection site gathered 1,125 lbs of unwanted and expired medications for proper disposal, contributing to an impressive national total of 571,054 lbs (286 tons) on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Drug Take Back Day. HC DrugFree also distributed 107 medication lock boxes to help families store medications securely and prevent misuse. Thank you to everyone who…
The Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with nearly 4,000 law enforcement partners across the country, will host the 29 th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At nearly 4,000 collection sites throughout the United States, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day encourages Americans to safely and…
Don’t know what to do with your expired or leftover meds? Please join HC DrugFree in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot for our convenient twice-a-year drive-thru medication disposal event as a part of the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day! All collected medications are guarded and transported by the Howard County Police and…
A new substance trend is raising red flags: “Feel Free,” a beverage containing kratom, a plant with opioid-like effects, is being sold in small blue bottles at gas stations, vape shops, and online. Marketed as an alcohol alternative or “wellness tonic,” this product can pose serious risks to health and safety. What’s Going On What…
The DEA’s newly released 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment reveals a deeply concerning trend: veterinary medications are increasingly being misused in the illicit drug supply. The animal tranquilizer xylazine—often called “tranq”—continues to be the most common additive found in fentanyl powder. Even more alarming, a newer veterinary sedative, medetomidine, is now appearing in street fentanyl…
