CHS Updates

News from HC DrugFree

THIS MONTH'S HC DrugFree newsletter (please click here for it) contains information about:

• The "Play it Safe Ocean City" website, which has information about special alcohol and drug-free events during June for high school graduates who choose to celebrate their graduation in Ocean City, Maryland;
• 2012 Maryland Legislative Report on HB 1153/SB 526 - Tobacco Tax - Healthy Maryland Initiative;
• a Target Stores GIFT CARD RAFFLE for parents and guardians whose students attended any oward County PTSA-sponsored After-Prom Party;
• Motivational Speaker Matt Bellace's "Natural High;"
• and more.

Parents, if your student attended the CHS PTSA's After-Prom Party . . .

.  .  .  then HC DrugFree would like to thank you for supporting the PTSA's goal of  keeping students safely entertained and substance-free on high-risk occasions like Prom Night.

ANY Howard County parent or guardian whose child attended (or will attend) a PTSA-sponsored After-Prom Party is eligible to register to win a $25 Target  GIFT CARD. Visit the HC DrugFree website (click here) register for a chance to win. DEADLINE TO REGISTER: NEXT FRIDAY, MAY 25; WINNER ANNOUNCED: MONDAY, JUNE 4.

News from HC DrugFree

IN THIS ISSUE (click here for it):

•  County-wide After-Prom raffle
• "How do Parents Tackle Teen Drunk Driving?"
• New Senior Week website: "Staying Safe in Ocean City"
• May/June Teen Advisory Council (TAC) meetings (New members welcome)
• Overview of HCPSS Policy for first offence drug or alcohol violation
• World No Tobacco Day: May 31

Thursday: Branded DUI: A "must see" film for parents and students

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 7 - 9 PM -- Glenelg High School, Glenelg. The Emmy award-winning film Branded DUI: Teen Drinking and the Law profiles eleven young adults (Maryland residents) who were convicted of  DUI-related charges; the film includes the stories of two young drivers who caused fatalities and also explores other consequences of alcohol-related vehicular accidents. Guest Speaker Howard County Circuit Court Judge William Tucker will lead a discussion about underage drinking here in Howard County and will answer audience questions. Sponsored by the Glenelg High School PTSA and HC DrugFree.

 

Before the Shore, check out one of HC DrugFree's "Senior Week" presentations

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 7 PM
       at Wilde Lake High School, Columbia
 and WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 7 PM
       at Mt. Hebron High School, Ellicott City

MANY Howard County high school seniors participate in the Maryland tradition of going to the Shore during Spring Break for "Senior Week." Having so many unsupervised teens in one place can lead to dangerous situations, risky behavior and trouble with the law. Before deciding whether or not to permit your child to go to Ocean City for Senior Week,  find out the facts. The Ocean City Beach Patrol Crew Chief and a local police officer will offer advice and expertise to help you keep your child safe. Parents are encouraged to bring their high school senior to these informative programs. More Spring Break information from HC DrugFree is HERE.

News from HC DrugFree

CLICK HERE for the HC DrugFree March newsletter to find out about:

   -- the average cost of a first-offense DUI;
   -- joining HC DrugFree's Teen Advisory Council (meets monthly -- free pizza!)
   -- staggering statistics about underage substance abuse use
   -- the HC DrugFree/Howard County Film Festival Student Contest
   -- and more!

 

HC DrugFree Student Film Contest

 in partnership with

The 2012 Howard County Film Festival

 CALL FOR ENTRIES:   Students are invited to create
a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about ways for teens

to make the right decisions about underage drinking, youth binge drinking and/or preventing accidents involving youth and alcohol.

 PRIZE:   $100 VISA gift card; the winner and his or her PSA will be recognized at the Howard County Film Festival on
FRIDAY, MARCH 23.

 AND  the winning  PSA  will will receive county-wide exposure by becoming one of  HC DrugFree's media tools.

 

CLICK HERE for  CONTEST GUIDELINES  

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES:  MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Thursday: Free workshop for parents of high school teens " Power of Parents, It’s Your Influence™"

Three out of every four kids say parents are
        the leading influence on their decisions about drinking

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 7 PM -- Howard County Library, Miller Branch, Ellicott City.  Join HC DrugFree and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for this free, 35-minute workshop and you'll receive a FREE community-based handbook that's  full of  tools and tips for talking with teens about the dangers of underage drinking.

Opportunites for students at HC DRUGFREE

HC DrugFree's  TEEN ADVISORY COUNCIL
         is looking for new members

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 5:30 - 7 PM -- The Other Barn, The Other Barn Oakland Mills Village Center, Columbia.  Come to this information meeting to find out more about opportunities to:

• PROVIDE an important youth persepctive
  to HC DrugFree's mission of making Howard County
  a place where teens are drug-free by choice;
• CONNECT with like-minded peers from other schools;
• SERVE THE COMMUNITY (also Service Learning Hours);
• and FEEL EMPOWERED to make a positive difference in your community.

CLICK HERE to R.S.V.P. to attend next Monday's information meeting. More information about the Teen Advisory Council -- and other HC DrugFree teen volunteer opportunities --  are HERE.

Monday: A MUST-SEE for the college-bound, parents of

"HAZE: The Perils of the College Drinking Culture in America"

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 7 PM -- Howard High School, Ellicott City. Parents, guardians and college-bound students are invited to a free viewing of  the award-winning documentary "HAZE," which tells the true story of a college freshman who died during a hazing incident involving alcohol. Guest Speaker Dr. Joseph Schwartz, Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at Howard County General Hospital; Kevin Pitt, Department of Fraternity & Sorority Life, University of Maryland, College Park, and Tamara Saunders, Assistant Director of Student Conduct, University of Maryland, will shed light on the severity of binge drinking, destructive drinking games and hazing, and will discuss hazing policies on college campuses. A community education event co-sponsored by HC DrugFree and the Howard High School PTSA.