WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use. “Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country…
Recently we watched an episode of the television show How I Met Your Father, a loose spin-off of How I Met Your Mother with a similar format. Characters and setting are like twins to the earlier show although some of the characters have different careers – including a wannabe photographer and a fashion stylist. In…
“NOOOO! Not my Skittles!” One Howard County middle school student lamented. “I can’t believe the companies would allow this,” another replied. “But I like Nerds…” another concerned student chimed in. These are just a few examples of the reactions we received when Howard County students in HC DrugFree’s Life Skills Class were shown photos of…
THC-infused candy and sport drinks, some disguised as popular and recognizable brands like Gatorade and Nerds, are being marketed to children. Since many of these products are being distributed in familiar packaging, unsuspecting kids and adults, may unwittingly consume THC. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the chemical that causes most of marijuana’s psychological effects. Authorities are reporting…
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! HC DrugFree will again present this popular parenting class for Howard County parents, guardians, and…
Submitted by a Howard County parent and teacher According to a poll of students in the HC DrugFree Spring 2023 Life Skills class, of the 62% of the students who answered the question “What do yo think influences your decisions the most?” almost HALF said their parents. A little less than half of respondents said peers. What…
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi, once again attended the annual Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum . This four-day conference is packed with multiple adult and youth-oriented opportunities to learn the latest strategies to fight substance misuse and hear from nationally-known experts and policymakers. The Forum brings together more than 3,000 participants representing…
On January 31, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed an Executive Order creating an Opioid Collaborative Community Council to assist in determining priorities for how the County should use funds received through a National Settlement Agreement with opioid manufacturers and any future settlements. The Council is charged with making recommendations to the Fiscal Year 2024…
Today marks the 9th anniversary of losing a treasured member of the HC DrugFree family. Tyler Johnson was only 25 years old when he was killed during a shooting event at the Mall in Columbia on Saturday, January 25, 2014. As a frequent speaker at HC DrugFree programs, Tyler shared his experiences of teen drug…
On January 9th HC Drug Free and the Howard County PTSA Collaborative Parent Education Group hosted a virtual town hall: How Much is Too Much? Finding a Balance between Academic Performance and Student Well-Being. Guest speaker, Anne Arena, MA, CAS shared her experience as a school psychologist and what she sees happening in the lives…
