Prom Night can be one of the most memorable evenings of a teen’s life…but at what cost? Of course, there are the traditional expenses such as formal attire, tickets to the event, and maybe even splurging for a limo! But what about the optional costs of Prom Night? If a student is found to have consumed ANY alcohol or drugs on the way to a school sponsored event, AT a school sponsored event, or even at an outside party may result in severe disciplinary and legal penalties which may result in suspension from school, exclusion from extracurricular activities, or being allowed to participate in g ..read more

This week, acting school superintendent, William J. Barnes, sent out an email reminding HCPSS families how dangerous Prom season can be for teens. We are sharing this message to echo the desire for young people to create wonderful memories while making responsible choices that help to keep themselves and others safe. As we approach the last few months of the school year, we have much to look forward to—proms and graduations included. Parents/guardians want these experiences to be memorable and want our teens to stay safe and make good decisions. Prom season can be a particularly dangerou ..read more

What’s Your WHY? #MyWHYNDAFW HC DrugFree asked teen and adult residents of Howard County, MD their WHY: Why they care about drug & alcohol related education, prevention resources, and why leading by example matters. This is what they said… HC DrugFree is proud to partner with the The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW ..read more

You’ve heard of TED Talks. Now, we’d like to introduce TAC Talks! On Monday, March 18 HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC) presented “insider information” for parents, educators, middle school students, and their high school peers during this special student-lead community program. This special event covered a range of thought-provoking topics, chosen and presented by Howard County teens. Although intended to ease the transition from middle to high School for rising 8th graders, the insights of these remarkable students will also be eye-opening for current middle/high schooler ..read more

One of our long term Teen Advisory Council members, Malhar, was a part of our college student team teaching our recent Life Skills class. In the essay below, he outlines his experience. What really made this experience stand out was the hands-on approach we took. Rather than just lecturing, we engaged the students in discussions, role-plays, and interactive activities. I’ve seen firsthand how the program has evolved throughout the years, and the students continue to amaze me every year. During our reflective sessions, the students were very open and asked thought-provoking questions. Thei ..read more

Hey high schoolers and parents! Let’s talk about something that’s on a lot of minds these days: marijuana. On July 1, 2023, the State of Maryland legalized some amount of cannabis use and possession. Since it was now legalized in the state for people over 21, it’s easy to think that college campuses are all chill about it. But hold up – there’s a catch! State vs. Federal Laws Sure, Maryland says it’s legal to use and possess some amounts, but colleges and universities have to play by federal rules. And guess what? The federal government still considers marijuana to be a Schedule I controlled s ..read more

Parent CRAFT is a self-paced online video course that teaches parents the skills they need to meet the risks of substance abuse. Parent CRAFT is based on the proven CRAFT method. This program is for parents who know their child is misusing substances and want to get their child into treatment. This project is made freely available to parents in Maryland by the National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with funding from the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Learn ..read more

Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy at the White House was recently interviewed by Melanie Hogan of WVAS and discussed the immediate need to continue to dismantle trafficking of illicit drugs fentanyl. Dr. Gupta says 90 percent of fentanyl arrives in the United States through legal and commercial points of entry. Listen Here Source ..read more

WASHINGTON – In 2023, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration marked its 50th anniversary as the only federal agency dedicated to fighting deadly drugs and drug-related violence.  This milestone celebrated a half century of dedication to fighting drug trafficking in the United States and around the world, which threatens the public safety, health, and national security of our country.  DEA also ushered in a transformation of DEA’s organization and strategy to meet this extraordinary moment in time as the United States confronts the deadliest drug threat our country has eve ..read more

Marijuana vape use surged by 10.1 percent for 12th grade students, between 2017 and 2023. Just under 20 percent of 12th grade students reported vaping marijuana in 2023. Use of the drug also increased by 5 and 3.5 percent for 10th grade and 8th grade students, respectively, over the same time period, according to the 2023 Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975-2023: Secondary school students. Including vaping, 2023 marijuana use for 12th, 10th, and 8th grade students stood at 29, 18, and 8 percent, respectively. Source ..read more