June is Pride Month: a time to celebrate diversity, promote acceptance, and recognize the resilience of LGBTQ+ youth. At HCDrugFree, we believe that every person deserves to feel seen, supported, and safe. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ teens often face unique challenges that can increase their risk of substance misuse, making prevention and community support more important than…
Recently, a mom found a dozen small silver canisters hidden in her teenager’s backpack. At first glance, it looked like they were part of a science project. How harmful could that be? It just looked like little batteries. But after a quick online search, she realized these were “whippets,” small cartridges filled with nitrous oxide,…
So you’ve finished up 12 years of painstaking education, late nights, early mornings, and everything in between. You’ve taken the exams, survived group projects, maybe even cried over a math final or two. Now it’s time for one last hurrah: Senior Week. It sounds like the perfect combination, right? A beach house with your best…
Many people think that mental health problems are an inevitable part of aging, but despite common later-life stressors– such as retirement, social isolation, physical health problems, grief, or changes in living situations– conditions like depression and anxiety are preventable and treatable! Many older adults (about 25%) experience these issues, which deserve the same attention and…
Though many people are aware of the dangers of smoking and alcohol, the risks associated with cannabis and marijuana are often underestimated, especially when it comes to teenagers’ perceptions. In a recent report based on research, experts advocated for increased policies and prevention against youth and adolescent cannabis in front of Oregon’s state senate Committee on…
In just four hours, communities across the country came together in support of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Drug Take Back Day on April 26, 2025. With participation from 4,472 law enforcement partners and 4,590 collection sites, this nationwide event resulted in the safe disposal of 620,321 lbs (310 tons) of unwanted or expired medications. HC DrugFree is proud to have…
Senior Week should be a celebratory, memorable time with friends—not a risk! With the right planning, it can be a safe and fun experience for everyone. Check out our recorded webinar for graduating high school seniors and their parents! https://intheknowhc.org/senior-week/ The tips shared by Howard County teens, the Ocean City Police, and the Ocean City…
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, HC DrugFree’s Medication and Sharps Collection site gathered 1,359.5 lbs of unwanted and expired medications for proper disposal, contributing to an impressive national total of 620,321 lbs (310 tons) on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Drug Take Back Day. In addition to the medications, community members dropped off large quantities of sharps for disposal, which were not weighed. HC…
