Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Red Ribbon Rallies Poster, Poetry & Essay Contests Winter Haven Area Winners – May 9, 2012

InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of its Poster, Poetry and Essay Contests for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Winter Haven/Haines City area schools. Contest participants are being recognized during the Red Ribbon Rally this morning at 10:00 a.m. at Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven.

The anti-drug rally focuses on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Students were challenged to use their creative talents to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate topical messages about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Overall winners in each category will receive cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place) in each contest category.

Congratulations to Winter Haven/Haines City Contest Overall Prize Winners

Poster Category

1st Place - $100.00 - Elizabeth Brianna West, Lena Vista

2nd Place - $ 50.00 - Karla Cruz, Palmetto

3rd Place - $ 25.00 - Savanna Igatua, Caldwell

Poetry Category

1st Place - $100.00 - Malachi Claussen, Jewett School of the Arts

2nd Place - $ 50.00 - Quaterra Cooper, Eastside

3rd Place - $ 25.00 - Rebecca Harwell, Berkley

Essay Category

1st Place - $100.00 - Lora Young, Janie Howard Wilson

2nd Place - $ 50.00 - Michael Petty, Elbert

3rd Place - $ 25.00 - Kayla Deen, Palmetto

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – Berkley Elementary

Guest speaker for the Rally is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in all of their endeavors. Grady is the author of “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and “Teen Power and Beyond.” Community leaders will also be on hand to encourage the choice of a positive, healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs.

Similar rallies for Lakeland area schools took place last week on May 2nd at The Lakeland Center.

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is 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 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to offer substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, drug-free puppet shows, informative presentations and family-oriented awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others in need with an important substance abuse message.

For further information on the Fifth Grade Rally, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Spring 2012 Prescription Drug Take Back Event Nets 1,300 lbs. of Pharmaceuticals

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 28, 2012, and host our community’s Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off at 8 locations throughout Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal.

An estimated 1,300 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. Drop-off sites included Auburndale Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Florida Department of Transportation (hosted by Bartow Police Department), Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Previous prescription medication collections held in Polk County, FL have resulted in nearly 1,700 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals.

Unwanted medications may be taken to Polk County’s new Permanent Drop Site at the Winter Haven Police Department, located at 125 N. Lake Silver Dr. NW, in Winter Haven, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm. Additional permanent drop sites in the county are expected to be announced very soon.

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, is a group of concerned citizens, law enforcement, community and business leaders working together to take a stand against drugs and bring about positive change for Polk County. For more information, please contact Lisa A. Jones, StandUP Polk coalition coordinator, at (863) 802-0777.

Red Ribbon Rallies Poster, Poetry & Essay Contests Lakeland Area Winners Announced May 2, 2012

InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of its Poster, Poetry and Essay Contests for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Lakeland area schools. Contest participants will be recognized during the Red Ribbon Rallies, which take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at The Lakeland Center.

The anti-drug rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Students were challenged to use their creative talents to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate topical messages about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Overall winners in each category will be awarded cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place) in each contest category.

Congratulations to Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners:

Poster Category:

1st Place $100.00 Christopher Williams, St. Anthony Catholic (11 AM Rally)

2nd Place $ 50.00 Stephen Mansker, Carlton Palmore (9:30 AM Rally)

3rd Place $ 25.00 Shannon Nichols, R. Bruce Wagner (11 AM Rally)

Poetry Category:

1st Place $100.00 Morgan Cerekwicki, St. Paul Lutheran (11 AM Rally)

2nd Place $ 50.00 David Fullenkamp, South McKeel Academy (11 AM Rally)

3rd Place $ 25.00 Ashley Smith, McKeel Elementary Academy (9:30 AM Rally)


Essay Category:

1st Place $100.00 Bayli Moran, Scott Lake (11 AM Rally)

2nd Place $ 50.00 RaDeja McNeil, Crystal Lake (9:30 AM Rally)

3rd Place $ 25.00 Rushil Kasetty, Carlton Palmore (9:30 AM Rally)

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – McKeel Elementary Academy (Attending 9:30 AM Rally)

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – Purcell Elementary (Attending 11:00 AM Rally)

Guest speaker for the Rallies is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in all of their endeavors. Grady is the author of “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and “Teen Power and Beyond.”

Another rally for Winter Haven and Haines City area schools will be held next week on Wednesday, May 9, at 10:00 a.m. in the Polk State College Gym. Contest winners for those schools will be announced next week.

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is 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 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to offer substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, drug-free puppet shows, informative presentations and family-oriented awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others in need with an important substance abuse message.

For further information on the Fifth Grade Rallies, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.