Florida Attorney General, Pam Bondi, will be in town on Monday, October 3, 2011 to show her support for substance abuse prevention and accompany members of InnerAct Alliance to receive a Proclamation of Red Ribbon Month from Mayor Gow Fields at the Lakeland City Commission meeting at approximately 9 a.m. at City Hall. Attorney General Bondi is focused on protecting Floridians, and she has served as a champion in shifting the tide against prescription drug abuse by supporting the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and strengthening penalties against pill mills.
The official Red Ribbon Proclamation by the City of Lakeland will kick off a month of special Red Ribbon activities sponsored by InnerAct Alliance to raise awareness of substance abuse, and encourage communities to present a unified, visible commitment for a drug-free environment. The Red Ribbon is the universal symbol for alcohol, tobacco, and other substance abuse prevention. Similar proclamations will be presented to InnerAct Alliance by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners on October 11, 2011, and by the Polk County School Board on October 25, 2011.
The signature event to culminate Red Ribbon Month is the 20th Annual Red Ribbon Run and Kids Health & Wellness Carnival, on Saturday, November 5, 2011, at Tigertown’s Joker Marchant Stadium. Over 3,000 parents, educators and elementary school students will participate in the largest youth running event in Polk County. Students in grades K-5 can register free and receive a free Run T-Shirt. Adults and students in grades 6 and above compete in the Open Race for a $10 registration fee. Registration check-in begins at 7 a.m., with the first race starting at 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded and the school with the largest percentage of students in attendance will win a special participation trophy.
Festivities also include the Kids Health & Wellness Carnival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate the importance of good health. Wristbands will be sold for $5 admission for kids age 3 & up to enjoy interactive activities and entertainment. K-5th grade participants will receive a free book to take home.
The Red Ribbon Campaign originated when Federal Agent Enrique Camarena was tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in 1985. The Red Ribbon became the symbol to reduce the demand for drugs. Today, the Red Ribbon symbolizes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle and red ribbons are worn and displayed by citizens committed to preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems across America.
InnerAct Alliance, formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency established in 1985 to reduce the abuse and underage use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The agency provides substance abuse education programs in the Hardee, Highlands and Polk county areas, and also serves as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk (adult-based) and UthMpact (youth-based) Coalitions for a Drug-Free Polk. For more information on the State Attorney General’s visit, or Red Ribbon Campaign activities, please contact InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777 or visit our web site at www.inneractalliance.org.
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