Prevention Services: 240-313-3310
Tobacco Use Prevention & Cessation
The Tobacco Free for Life Program (TFFL) offers FREE quit tobacco classes at the beginning of each month. The program consists of four (4) one-hour sessions offered over a two-week period; however, individuals are encouraged to continue beyond the four-week session and participate in the ongoing support program indefinitely. Class participants are eligible to receive FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) patches, gum and/or lozenges while supplies last. Each participant will be required to fill out a registration packet, which includes consent to use NRT patches/gum/lozenges. If a woman is pregnant or nursing or if an individual has recently had a heart attack or has undiagnosed chest pains, they will need to have provider approval to receive nicotine replacement therapy.
Tobacco Free Cessation for Pregnant Moms, Support Partners and Families with Children
Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health and the health of your baby and children! The Tobacco Free Cessation Program for the Pregnant Mom and Families with Children is a tobacco cessation program for pregnant women, their families and families with children living in the home to quit smoking and stay tobacco free. This program guides and supports a woman, supports partners and families through the stages of quitting and includes incentives for staying free of nicotine. Through a series of face-to-face counseling sessions, women, their support and families with children are given the tools and help needed to make a successful quit attempt and are rewarded with family friendly incentives. This program focuses on helping pregnant women, their support partners and families with children go tobacco/vape free to help reduce the risk of tobacco-related illnesses and secondhand smoke exposure.
Safe Storage of Medication Education & Locking Mechanisms
Families take medicines and vitamins to feel well or stay well. Any medicine or vitamin can be dangerous if taken in the wrong way or by the wrong person; even medicine you buy without a prescription, over the counter. The Behavioral Health Services division provides education to individuals and their families about the importance of safe medicine storage and offers FREE locking mechanisms.
If you need to dispose of any unwanted or expired medications in your home, please utilize the closest drop box from the list below:
Pharmacies:
- Reed’s Pharmacy: 343 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Hancock
- Sharpsburg Pharmacy: 17316 Shepherdstown Pike, Sharpsburg
- Smithsburg Pharmacy: 22030 Jefferson Blvd., Smithsburg
- Williamsport Pharmacy: 100 E. Potomac St., Williamsport
- Clear Spring Pharmacy: 34 Mulberry St., Clear Spring
Police Departments:
- Hagerstown Police Department: 50 N. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown
- Hancock Police Department: 126 W. High St., Hancock
- Maryland State Police Hagerstown Barrack: 18345 Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive, Hagerstown
- Smithsburg Police Department: 63 Rail Road Lane, Smithsburg
- Washington County Sheriff’s Department: 500 Western Maryland Parkway, Hagerstown
Narcan Training
This training focuses on how to recognize, respond to and prevent overdoses. Training participants will also learn opioid types, community statistics and how to administer naloxone. After completing the training, participants will receive naloxone and an overdose prevention kit.
Strengthening Families Program (SFP) – Parenting Classes
The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is an evidence-based, family skills training program for high-risk and general population families that is recognized both nationally and internationally. SFP is effective because it was specifically crafted to increase protective factors and reduce the risk factors that lead to both substance abuse and youth depression. SFP teaches – and has parents and youth practice – skills involved in bonding (creating warm, loving relationships); setting clear, firm boundaries (rules against antisocial behavior, including drug and alcohol use); and monitoring children’s emotional well-being and activities to see that they always stay in an alcohol and drug-free social environment.
Sexual Health in Recovery (SHIR)
The Sexual Health in Recovery (SHIR) program is a series of presentations aimed to help people in recovery maintain sobriety by addressing sexual behavior, thoughts, feelings and experiences that may be linked to drinking or using drugs.
HIV Testing and Hep C Testing
Individuals can receive free rapid HIV, Hep C and syphilis testing at the Division of Behavioral Health Services, located at 925 N. Burhans Blvd., in Hagerstown. The testing team also offers rapid HIV, Hep C and syphilis testing within the communities of Washington County. In addition to testing, there is also linkage to care for individuals that need follow-up support.
Dare to Be You (DTBY)
Dare to Be You (DTBY) is a program aimed at families with children ages 2–5. It is designed to improve aspects of parenting that contribute to children’s resiliency.
Washington Goes Purple
Washington Goes Purple is an awareness initiative through the opioid operational command center to educate our youth and community about the dangers of prescription pain medication. This initiative has grown over the past several years to include messaging to address stigma, prescriber outreach, safe storage and mental health. Washington Goes Purple celebrates recovery month during September with support from the entire Washington County community.
Student Assistance Program (SAP)
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is an intervention program used in schools that provides a systematic procedure of early identification, intervention, referral and follow-up of at-risk students. These students are considered at-risk because of dysfunctional behavior patterns which can be related to involvement with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Education and Awareness Education Presentations
The prevention program staff offers presentations on many topics related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug education. Some examples include presentations on vaping, peer pressure refusal skills, how to live a drug free life or any topic relating to substance use prevention.
List of Prevention Services:
Tobacco Free For Life Services
- Cessation services
- Free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, lozenges and gum)
- Tobacco-free cessation for pregnant moms, support partners and families with children
Prevention
- Safer storage of medication education
- Narcan trainings/distribution
- Community
- Individuals
- Organizations, businesses and agencies
- Distribution of Safer Devices
- Lock boxes
- Locking medicine caps and bottles
Services for Adolescents and Families
- Student Assistant Program
- AT Risk educational program
- Too Good For Drugs
- Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug educational and awareness presentations
- Parenting classes
- Dare to Be You
- Strengthening Families program
- Washington Goes Purple prevention/recovery education awareness and events
Infectious Disease Programming
- HIV, Hep C and syphilis rapid testing
- Sexual Health in Recovery program
- Infectious Disease educational presentations
- Safer Sex education and material distribution
