The National Institute on Drug Abuse warns that COVID-19 could have a large impact on certain groups, including those with substance use disorders. COVID-19 attacks the lungs, so people who smoke tobacco or marijuana or vape are at a higher risk of being impacted. Click here to view a printable PDF of this article.
HC DrugFree News
Life Skills Classes for Middle School Students at Bonnie Branch
HC DrugFree’s next middle school Life Skills Classes will be held at Bonnie Branch Middle School (BBMS) immediately following school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If your child attends BBMS and you want to register them for these 15 classes, please contact HC DrugFree. Free. Classes begin Tuesday, March 17. Thank you to the BBMS team:…
Our Team Thanks Dunloggin Middle School
HC DrugFree’s team presented the final of 15 Life Skills classes held at Dunloggin Middle School. During the final classes, students applied the skills they have learned in order to discuss handling difficult situations and resolving conflicts. Pictured: Executive Director Joan Webb Scornaienchi, Teen Advisory Council member Julia Mamo, college student/staff Ashley Rothermel, Teen Advisory…
Report Released: 2020 Vision for Health in Howard County
For decades, Howard County has been known for its forward-thinking approach to creating the highest quality of life, serving as a national example of how people of diverse backgrounds can create a thriving community. Yet, the future presents new challenges. Click here for a printable PDF of the report released by the Horizon Foundation.
HC DrugFree Participates in “Primary Prevention” Rally in DC
On Wednesday, February 5, thousands of youth and adults gathered on the Capitol Hill grounds to show a united force for continued funding for primary prevention efforts and to hear members of Congress pledge their support to the energized audience from across the United States and beyond. HC DrugFree works hard to give a voice…
HC DrugFree at ONDPC Update
On Tuesday, February 4, Jim Carroll, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), was one of the speakers at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum, bringing together top experts in the field of prevention to inspire and educate. This month, ONDCP released the Trump Administration’s National…
Update: Life Skills Classes for Middle School Students
HC DrugFree has completed 6 of the 15 scheduled Life Skills after-school classes at Dunloggin Middle School. Flier Life Skills (12-6-19)
Not My Child: Teen Vaping and More
Parents/guardians are invited to join HC DrugFree and Marriotts Ridge High School PTSA to learn more about vaping and other drug use in Howard County. January 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Marriotts Ridge High School auditorium. Free. Open to the public. If school activities are cancelled due to weather, the back-up date will be…
Drugs and Alcohol Chat Day
On Wednesday, April 1, 2020 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) will host their annual National Drug and Alcohol Chat Day. Once again, HC DrugFree is proud to partner with NIDA to provide an online access code for Howard County teens to submit their questions about drugs and alcohol…
Life Skills Classes for Middle School Students
HC DrugFree is partnering with Dunloggin Middle School to provide a highly interactive and skills-based program designed to promote positive health and personal development for youth in grades 6-8. The integrated approach helps to develop personal, interpersonal, and drug resistance skills. This middle school program uses developmentally appropriate, collaborative learning strategies to help students achieve…
Drug Take Back Day
The next convenient drive-thru medications and sharps (needles, syringes and EpiPens) collection is this Saturday, October 26. HC DrugFree’s team wants your unwanted and expired over-the-counter and prescription medication as well as any sharps. No need to remove medication or labels from the bottles and no need to get out of your vehicle. Join us 10…
Guiding Good Choices Parenting Class
HC DrugFree and the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office in partnership with the Howard County Public School System and the Howard County Health Department will once again provide evidence-based classes for parents of 9 to 14 year olds to gain skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs. This 4-week series…
Attend Drug-Free Pain Management Month Event
HC DrugFree encourages you to learn more about possible drug-free alternatives to pain management. According to Dr. Brian Morrison, “Our understanding of chronic pain has changed dramatically in recent years. Most people can manage pain better with a variety of conservative modalities like chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, exercise and learning about the science behind their…
High In Plain Sight
HC DrugFree and Delphi Behavioral Health Group were pleased to offer High In Plain Sight earlier today at Howard High School with national presenter “Tall Cop” Officer Jermaine Galloway. More than 175 adults attended the event.
Nearly 1,000 Pounds of Medication Collected at HC DrugFree’s Drive-thru
HC DrugFree’s April 27 prescription and over-the-counter medication and sharps (needles, syringes and EpiPens) collection was another huge success. In partnership with the Howard County Police, HC DrugFree’s team collected 993 lbs (35 bins) of unwanted and expired medication as well as 20 bins of sharps at our convenient drive-thru collection in the Wilde Lake Village Center…
HoCo FilmFest with HC DrugFree Category
HC DrugFree is proud to announce the 2018-19 HoCo Student Film Festival winners in the HC DrugFree Category: 1st Place Winner: “In the Know about Students Who Vape in Howard County” by Reservoir High School student Claire O’Shaughnessy 2nd Place Winner: “Escape the Vape” by Reservoir High School student Dannah Marcelino
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director Honored
At Winter Growth’s Fabulous 40 Anniversary Celebration, HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi was one of the community members honored for living with joy and purpose. Thank you to Winter Growth’s team for this special recognition and we wish you a Happy Anniversary.
Life Skills Classes for 9th and 10th Graders
Free Life Skills Classes for 9th and 10th graders at The Barn (Teen Center) in the Oakland Mills Village Center: Close enough for Oakland Mills High School students to walk, the classes begin on April 30. HC DrugFree, in partnership with the Columbia Association Youth and Teen Center, will present Botvin LifeSkills Training, a 10-week highly interactive, skills-based program…
Two 2019 Senior Week: Staying Safe in Ocean City Programs
Monday, March 18, 2019 at Howard High School and Monday, April 1, 2019 at Marriotts Ridge High School Parents (and grandparents!) and high school seniors are invited to attend two 2019 Senior Week: Staying Safe in OC programs. Both events will begin at 7:00 PM. Once again, Ocean City Police Cpl. Howard Caplan, Howard County Public…
Prevention Professionals Return to Capital Hill
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director joined Prevention Professionals in DC to educate and advocate for funding.
Teens Get Their Questions Answered on Chat Day
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) hosts a Chat Day annually. HC DrugFree is proud to once again be able to provide the Howard County access code. Information about registering for the Chat Day can be found at https://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week/chat-with-scientists. Our Howard County students have questions. In a previous year, our students submitted 869 questions in one day,…
HC DrugFree Provides Update
HC DrugFree thanks the Thurgood Marshall Democratic Club of Howard County for inviting us to provide a community update.
HC DrugFree at Atholton High School
HC DrugFree thanks the Atholton High School PTSA for inviting us to speak to parents and students.
Up in Smoke with Bonnie Branch Middle School PTA
HC DrugFree and Bonnie Branch Middle School PTA partnered to provide Up In Smoke: What Parents Need to Know about Juuling, Vaping and Other Drugs. More than 75 parents and students attended. Pictured front row: BBMS PTA President Tonya Sigalas; BBMS PTA HC DrugFree Rep Gina McGuinness; BBMS student and HC DrugFree volunteer Kyle McGuinness; HC DrugFree…
MD BHA “In the KNOW” about HC DrugFree’s Opioid Campaign
Joan Webb Scornaienchi showed Michael Baier, the Director of Prevention at the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), HC DrugFree’s In the KNOW about Opioids campaign materials.
Partnering with OCPD throughout the Year
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi and Lt. Howard Caplan with the Ocean City Police Department work together throughout the year to keep Howard County youth and families safe. It’s time to begin planning our spring 2019 Senior Week in OC programs held in partnership with the OCPD and OC Beach Patrol. Another picture…
HC DrugFree’s Latest Successful Medication and Sharps Collection
HC DrugFree’s Team had another successful Medication and Sharps drive-thru collection in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot in Columbia. In 4 hours on a rainy Saturday, 776.3 lbs of medication and 18 large bins of sharps were collected at our location. Thank you to all the Howard County residents delivering medication and sharps.…
HC DrugFree Continues to Work with CADCA
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director was once again invited by Retired Army General, Arthur T. Dean to attend the annual Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) awards dinner. The event was held at National Harbor, MD. HC DrugFree thanks General Dean and CADCA’s staff for your support throughout the years.
Wilde Lake Village Center Opioid Forum
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi was a panelists at an Opioid Forum hosted by the Wilde Lake Village Health And Wellness Committee. The event was held at Slayton House.
Guiding Good Choices Parent Program
HC DrugFree and the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO) are partnering to provide a 4-week training program for parents/guardians of 9-14 year olds. The classes are being held at the Elkridge Library and running through the month of October. For more information about upcoming classes, email Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040. Pictured staff from HC…
HC DrugFree at IMPAQ International
HC DrugFree is proud to partner with IMPAQ International’s researchers, data and analytics experts, survey professionals, technical innovators, subject matter experts, and communications specialists. Today, HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi spoke to employees at their Columbia, MD location. Pictured left to right: Bryan Gale, Lauren Weinmann, Joan Webb Scornaienchi and Peter Morrison.
Maryland Women Selected Drug Use and Addiction as One of Their Top Five Issues
HC DrugFree’s executive director and past chair of the Howard County Commission for Women (CFW), Joan Webb Scornaienchi was invited to participate as a Substance Use Disorder subject expert at the Maryland CFW’s Voices of MD Women round table conference held at Notre Dame of MD University. A report released by MD CFW, showed women across…
HC DrugFree Team Visits Liquor Stores
On behalf of Howard County parents and youth, HC DrugFree continues to remind merchants not to sell alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age. In June, HC DrugFree’s team once again visited several liquor stores in Howard County and provided merchants with additional “Be A Parent…Not A Friend” educational campaign materials. Thank you to the many…
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Board (ADAAB) Final Meeting
Tonight was the final Howard County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Board (ADAAB) meeting. HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi served as chair of ADAAB for 8 years and worked beside committed board members and members of the community. County Executive Allan Kittleman provided Certificates of Recognition for the appointed board members and the…
HC DrugFree Receives Donation from the Rotary Club of Columbia
HC DrugFree thanks Becky Mangus (right in photo), outgoing president of the Rotary Club of Columbia, for the club’s generous donation. HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi accepted the check at the June 19 meeting held at Eggspectation in Columbia. Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Columbia for 50 years of Giving to The…
HC DrugFree at Elkridge 50+ Center
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director spent the morning talking with Howard County residents at the new Elkridge 50+ Center. Residents learned about talking with their doctors about their medications, safe medication storage, proper disposal of medication, and so much more. Each participant was given a medication storage box.
To Incoming Freshmen:
Do NOT feel pressured to experiment with drugs. Many around you will smoke or Juul and the long-term damage is not worth it. If your “best friend” pressures you into trying, reject it. A real friend wouldn’t.
Teen Advisory Council at Korean Fair
Members of HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC) volunteered at the Korean Fair to answer questions about the organization’s services and recruit more teens from across the county to TAC. The fair was held at the Charles E. Miller Library in Ellicott City. Pictured: TAC member Calvin Lee, Joan Webb Scornaienchi and TAC member Tim…
Living Free: Breaking the Chains of Addiction and Whatever Is Holding You Back
HC DrugFree was among the organizations invited to participate in Bethany Lane Baptist Church’s Living Free program. Participants were encouraged to live free from the chains holding them back. Speakers pictured above: Sherrie McKay, Joan Webb Scornaienchi with HC DrugFree, Gary Freeman, Beth Schmidt with the MD Coalition of Families, and Pastor Kip Smith. Absent…
Throwing Out the First Pitch
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman, Health Officer Maura Rossman and HC DrugFree’s Executive Director joined together to throw out the first pitch at today’s first annual Recovery Oriented Services of Care (ROSC) Home Run for Recovery Softball Tournament held at Centennial Park in Ellicott City.
Another Successful Medication and Sharps Drive-Thru Collection
Today, HC DrugFree’s team of volunteers were busy from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot collecting 952.5 lbs of unwanted and expired prescription and over-the-counter medication as well as 18 bins of sharps (needles, syringes, and EpiPens). Thank you to the Howard County Police Department and the Drug…
HC DrugFree Executive Director Received Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Award
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi received the Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Award for Employee of the Year from the Association of Community Services (ACS) of Howard County. The event was held in The Great Room at Savage Mills.
Howard County Executive Responds – A Local Sister Lost to Heroin
County Executive Allan Kittleman directs the public to HC DrugFree and the Howard County Health Department for concerns about heroin addiction and to avoid the tragic loss shared in this video.
Scornaienchi Named 1 of 10 People Who Make the Baltimore Region Better
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi, was named one of “10 People Who Make the Baltimore Region Better” in an article in The Baltimore Sun. Ms. Scornaienchi has been the Executive Director of HC DrugFree since 2009 and has received much recognition for her work.
HC DrugFree Participated on Panel at University of MD College Park
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi, was invited by Dr. Amelia Arria and the University of Maryland School of Public Health to serve on a panel as part of Public Health Research at Maryland 2018. The day-long event was held on April 3 at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union on the University of…
First of Two 2018 Senior Week: Staying Safe in Ocean City Programs
Ocean City Police Cpl. Howard Caplan and Howard County Public School administrator James McVey representing Ocean City Beach Patrol joined HC DrugFree’s Executive Director Joan Webb Scornaienchi at the first of two annual Senior Week: Staying Safe in OC programs. This event was hosted by Howard High School’s principal Nick Novak. HC DrugFree thanks its…
Congratulations for Induction into Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Joan Webb Scornaienchi, HC DrugFree’s Executive Director since 2009 for being inducted into the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame for her many contributions to the County.
Howard County Teens Kick Butts
Members of HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC) remind you that today is national Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco. Great strides have been made in the fight against tobacco, but daily, more than 3,000 youth under 18 try smoking…
HC DrugFree’s Teen Volunteers Join Staff at the Latino Health Fair
HC DrugFree’s teen volunteers joined staff at the annual Latino Health Fair at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center to distribute free English and Spanish drug/alcohol educational materials.
Ho Co Student FilmFest – HC DrugFree Category
Once again, HC DrugFree was proud to partner with the Ho Co Student FilmFest. The event was held on Friday, March 9 at the Miller Library in Ellicott City. More than 100 youths and adults attended the event to cheer on the student filmmakers. HC DrugFree’s category received 8 films qualifying for judging. Pictured: HCPSS staff…
HC DrugFree’s Executive Director to be Inducted into Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame
Congratulations to HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi for her upcoming induction into the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame. Ms. Scornaienchi will be one of three women inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018. The induction ceremony will be held on March 22 in the George Howard Building in Ellicott City,…
HC DrugFree Standing with National Partners — Partnering for Prevention
HC DrugFree was pleased to spend time with old friends and meet new partners in the substance use prevention movement while at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s annual National Leadership Forum in National Harbor, MD. Pictured: HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi with Dr. Wilson Compton, Deputy Director, from the National Institute on…
Substance Use and Its Impact on Academic Achievement and Mental Health
HC DrugFree, Howard High School PTSA, and Bonnie Branch Middle School PTA partnered to present: SUBSTANCE USE AND ITS IMPACT ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH with expert speaker Dr. Amelia Arria. Pictured: Bonnie Branch Middle School Principal Dr. Andrew Cockley, Howard High School PTSA President Donna Sudbrook, Bonnie Branch Middle School’s HC DrugFree Parent…
HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council Participates in NIDA’s Alcohol & Drug Facts Week
Members of HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council promoted the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s national Drug and Alcohol Facts Week by “Shattering the Myths” and submitting a video question.
St. Louis Home and School Association Invites HC DrugFree to Speak to Parents
HC DrugFree’s team provided a drug and alcohol update to parents at St. Louis School located in Clarksville. The speakers included HC DrugFree’s Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi and the owner of Congruent Counseling, Mark Donovan. Pictured: Sheri Lewis, Home & School Association, President; Camilla Duffy, Home & School Association, Treasurer; Joan Webb Scornaienchi; Tina McMorland, Home & School Association, Secretary;…
Howard County Future Business Leaders of America Region Conference
Thank you to the Howard County Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Megha Sharma, the President of Long Reach High School’s FBLA chapter and Region 5 Vice President, for inviting Joan Webb Scornaienchi and John Scornaienchi to present “Gaining a Competitive Edge” at the FBLA Regional Leadership Conference earlier today. The conference was held…
HC DrugFree Speaks to the Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent
Thank you to the Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent for inviting HC DrugFree to speak at your morning meeting. Pictured: Rotary’s Cliff Feldwick, HC DrugFree’s Joan Webb Scornaiench, and Howard County Deputy State’s Attorney and HC DrugFree’s Board Member Kim Oldham.
