Ward 7 Drug Free Coalition

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The Ward 7 Drug Free Coalition educates DC youth and their families connected to Ward 7 about the dangers of alcohol, ma*****na, opioids and other drugs in order to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Join Us for International Overdose Awareness Day Week of Action and Kick off of Recovery Month!!!
08/25/2026

Join Us for International Overdose Awareness Day Week of Action and Kick off of Recovery Month!!!

JOIN US NEXT MONDAY for our virtual Narcan Use Training and DC Opioids use update to be conducted by Ms. Geraldine Cox ...
08/10/2026

JOIN US NEXT MONDAY for our virtual Narcan Use Training and DC Opioids use update to be conducted by Ms. Geraldine Cox on our staff, a DBH certified Narcan use trainer -- ALL PARTICIPANTS who complete our training and the post-test will receive a certificate. Join us and encourage others to join us as well. Help us SAVE LIVES!!!

Register here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/h2dzWG5LRCKqkDKM0iMEIw

W7DFC’s table at National Night Out August 4 featuring a joint event with DC and Maryland Police at the DC/MD border.
08/05/2026

W7DFC’s table at National Night Out August 4 featuring a joint event with DC and Maryland Police at the DC/MD border.

07/22/2026

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
And we want you to Break the Silence.

What does that actually mean?
-Talking about going to therapy openly.
-Checking on your "strong" friends
-Not just saying "I'll pray for you" but turning that into "Here are some resources you can use"
-Passing down healing, not just survival or hustle

Let's honor Bebe Moore Campbell's legacy by keeping her work going. Our stories deserve to be spoken out loud.

Our youth are moving full speed ahead! No time for drugs to slow them down!
06/30/2026

Our youth are moving full speed ahead! No time for drugs to slow them down!

Great weather for a Block Party today😎! The Ward 7 Drug-Free Community Coalition joined the GW Cancer Center at their Sy...
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

GREETINGS -- May is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce...
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

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

Address

Washington D.C., DC

Telephone

+12024383019

Website

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