Teen Advisory Council

…Our Hope for Tomorrow


What Does the Teen Advisory Council Do and Who Is on It?

HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council provides the youth perspective to the staff and Board of Directors of HC DrugFree to increase the effectiveness of HC DrugFree’s programs, newsletters, website and other services.

The Teen Advisory Council is composed of Howard County students in grades 8 through 12 (public, private and home school) who meet monthly during the school year to discuss teen use of alcohol and other drugs, and to develop educational messages that promote HC DrugFree’s vision of a county where teens are drug-free by choice.

Benefits of Joining the Teen Advisory Council:

  • • Earn Community Service Hours
  • • Gain valuable experience for job & college applications
  • • Be a leader among your peers
  • • Learn about what’s happening in our community
  • • Meet new people from other schools and throughout the County
  • • Share your opinions and experiences
  • • MAKE A DIFFERENCE in Howard County

Still Want to Learn More About Why You Should Join the Teen Advisory Council? Check out this video.

How Do I Become a TAC Member?

  1. Read the Teen Advisory Council Description.
  2. Fill out the NEW 2023-24 school year registration form and email to admin@hcdrugfree.org or mail it to:
    HC DrugFree
    5305 Village Center Drive, Suite 206
    Wilde Lake Village Center
    Columbia, MD 21044

If meetings/events are held in person, the Howard County Public School System’s weather, etc. cancellation policies apply. However, at this time, meetings/events will be online unless specified.

If you cannot attend the meetings but would like to be informed about other volunteer opportunities, complete the registration form so you will be added to the email list to hear about service opportunities first.

Important Registration Update

Please register with a personal email address and NOT a HCPSS email address, as we cannot access anything sent from behind the school system’s firewall. If you have previously registered with a HCPSS email address please reach out to us at admin@hcdrugfree.org so we can process your information.


TAC Schedule

Our 2023-2024 Meeting/Event Dates will be released closer to the start of school

  • August: Volunteer opportunities will be available to earn Community Service Hours
  • Monday, September 11
  • Saturday, October 28, 2023 (Medication and Sharps “Take Back Day” collection) 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (To register, go to our Medication Disposal page to find youth and family links)
  • Monday, November 6
  • Monday, December 4
  • Monday December 11: Teen Planning Committee Meeting
  • Monday, January 8
  • Monday, January 22: Teen Planning Committee Meeting
  • Monday, February 5
  • Monday, March 18: TAC Talks Program (Register to Receive Zoom Link)
  • Saturday, April 27: Medication and Sharps “Take Back Day” Event
  • Monday, May TBD
  • Monday, June TBD
  • July: Teens may register to assist college student instructors with Life Skills classes to receive Community Service Hours. Classes dates will be released closer to July.
  • August: Volunteer opportunities will be available for teens to earn Community Service Hours

Faces of Prevention in Howard County Today

For more information, please contact Joan Webb Scornaienchi, Executive Director at 443-325-0040 or email admin@hcdrugfree.org.