Ward 7 Drug Free Coalition

05/30/2026

Great weather for a Block Party today😎! The Ward 7 Drug-Free Community Coalition joined the GW Cancer Center at their Sycamore and Oak Block Party today to provide life-saving info and resources, and offer alternative activities to substance use.

05/13/2026

This is National Prevention Week and while we focus primarily on drug use prevention. Compulsive behaviors that can lead to dependency or addiction are often linked and co-occurring.

The connection between sports betting, drug use, and mental health is a complex cycle where, for some, the thrill of wagering causes severe mental distress, resulting in increased substance use. Problem sports betting frequently co-occurs with anxiety, depression, and high stress, with about 60% of people with gambling issues having a co-occurring substance use disorder.

Key Connections
Brain Reward System: Both drug use and sports betting (specifically rapid, "in-play" betting) trigger dopamine releases in the brain, often causing individuals to cross-addict or replace one addiction with another.
Co-occurring Disorders: Studies show 96% of people with gambling problems have at least one other mental health disorder, with 60% involving substance abuse.
Mental Health Fallout: Problematic sports betting is strongly associated with high stress, anxiety, depression, and a high risk of suicidal ideation, frequently used as a, often, disastrous coping mechanism.
Young Adult Vulnerability: High-speed mobile gambling and marketing attract young adults (18-29), with research showing that higher betting severity correlates directly with lower life satisfaction and higher psychological distress.

Common Warning Signs
Escalation: Betting more money to chase losses or gain the same "rush".
Escapism: Using drugs, alcohol, or gambling to escape feelings of anxiety or depression.
Preoccupation: Constantly focusing on games and betting odds.
Financial Distress: Borrowing money or selling items to fund betting.

Data Sources:
NIH/NIDA--Gambling disorder in the age of mobile sports betting
APA--How gambling affects the brain and who is most vulnerable to addiction
JHU/Public Health--As Online Betting Surges, So Does Risk of Addiction
Hygea Health--The Rise of Sports Betting: Maryland’s Growth, Mental Health Effects, and Recovery Solutions
Addiction Center/Recovery Worldwide -- Sports Betting Addiction: Breaking the Cycle

05/06/2026

GREETINGS -- May is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience, especially our youth and young adults. Thanks to my wonderful staff, our DC Prevention Center has partnered with the National Council on Mental Health Wellbeing to provide a rare in person in DC training opportunity on Youth Mental Health First Aid on THURSDAY, MAY 28TH. There will be great interactive discussions, materials and a light lunch provide. This is a FREE training. HOWEVER, Seats are LIMITED so please RSVP TODAY at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mental-health-youth-first-aider-training-tickets-1988191912531?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

04/20/2026

Hot off the press . . .Here is the info for DC locations for this coming Saturday's National Drugs Take Back Day.

Those of you who live in MD, VA or in any other State, go to the DEA's website and put in your zip code for your local drop off locations.

Please support and spread the word 🙂

04/16/2026

HAVE YOU RSVP'D?

We need to know who is joining us on Thursday. Trust me you want to be there, a very rare opportunity to meet in person with our local HIDTA staff and data analysts.

We are thrilled that Washington/Baltimore HIDTA senior staff is joining us from Baltimore along with DC based staff to share the wealth of resources that HIDTA provides AND current information on drugs use threats and emerging use trends for DC, MD, VA and WVA.

Please RSVP at [email protected]

03/10/2026

03/10/2026

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, National Sleep Awareness Week (March 8-14), Black Girls Day of Rest (March 10) and Teen Self-Harm Awareness Month, we’re holding space for an important truth: stress is real and it matters.

Stress can be a signal that you’ve been carrying too much for too long. And for so many women and girls, especially in our communities, strength has often meant pushing through. This month, we’re challenging that narrative.

However you choose to rest this month, let it be something that restores you. Even small moments count. 💛

♻️:

02/12/2026

Join us for a special presentation by DEA Washington, DC Division.

12/16/2025

If a loved one forgets whether they already took their pain medication and takes it again, they could accidentally overdose. You could save their life if you know what to do. Register now to get equipped and stay equipped:

11/19/2025

Today is the day join us!!!
@ 12:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_MQgEC0dRc-FCHpMNOPHTA