FIFTH-GRADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN RED RIBBON RALLIES ON MAY 6 & 13, 2014

Polk County, FL – Nearly 6,000 fifth grade students have been invited by InnerAct Alliance to attend Red Ribbon Rallies in May to encourage the choice of a positive lifestyle without the use of drugs. Events will take place on Tuesday, May 6, at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at The Lakeland Center, and on Tuesday, May 13, at 10:00 a.m. at the Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven.

The anti-drug rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school.  The guest speaker 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. Community leaders and law enforcement members will also be on hand to encourage the choice of a positive, healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs.

Fifth grade students have been challenged to create original essays, poems, and posters that convey topical messages about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Contest winners will be recognized during the rallies with cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 awarded to overall first place winners in each contest category.

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 have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 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 on May 6 and 13, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777. 

                                                                       

STAY INFORMED ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA!

Stay Informed About Medical Marijuana!

Polk County, FL - Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drug abuse are problems facing every community. As parents, educators, and concerned citizens, it is important to take the time to know the facts and act responsibly to help prevent your family, students, neighbors, and friends from becoming the next substance abuse statistic.

Our role is in educating Polk County citizens about medicinal marijuana for the present and future of our community’s most precious resource – our children! Marijuana’s potential for abuse is high, especially for children and teens. Statistics show that among youth ages 12-17 marijuana use rates were higher in states with medical marijuana laws (8.6%) than those without such laws (6.9%). Teen users of marijuana are more likely than non-users to engage in delinquent and dangerous behavior.  

Here are four points you may not know:

Age requirements in each state vary; some may even allow youth to obtain marijuana without a parent's knowledge.
    

Anyone over the age of 21, including drug addicts and felons, can be a "caregiver" to as many as five minors. 

             

So far, medicinal marijuana has been available for anyone for any reason simply by recommendation. Its use is being allowed for a broad scope of ill-defined ailments and does not require a prescription.

In other states, medical marijuana is sold in storefront dispensaries, which would likely grow as quickly as pill mills, allowing marijuana use to increase.

Our Central Florida community is a desirable place to live with warm, sunny weather year-round, beautiful lakes, and just a short drive from area beaches and attractions to enjoy with family and friends. It is every citizen’s responsibility to preserve our right to live, work, and play in a safe and drug-free community and keep the future of our children in Florida shining bright!

Stay Informed! To learn more about the negative effects of medical marijuana and support efforts to reduce substance abuse, please call (863) 802-0777 or invite a representative from InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug Free Polk, to share a free, informative education presentation with your civic group or organization. You play a pivotal part in spreading the word that most of us don’t use/abuse drugs. That is the community standard we want to promote and grow.

InnerAct Alliance, formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center, has worked diligently 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, formed in 1985, serves as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk, the adult-based Coalition for a Drug Free Polk, a pro-active group of community leaders, law enforcement, and concerned citizens committed to changing attitudes and beliefs about underage drinking, reducing social and retail access to alcohol, and advocating against abuse of marijuana and prescription drugs.

PURGE YOUR PILLS Rx DROP OFF Saturday, April 26, 2014

PURGE YOUR PILLS Rx DROP OFF
Saturday, April 26, 2014

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national partners for the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for citizens to dispose of unwanted/unused prescription drugs.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. 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 have resulted in nearly 5,500 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration. 

Our community’s Spring Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off will include 7 locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear plastic bag. 

Drop-off locations on April 26^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL
Bartow Police Department – 450 North Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL
Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 North Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL
Lake Wales Police Department - 133 East Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, FL
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL   
Winter Haven Police Department – 125 North Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven, FL

Medications may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop sites: Auburndale Police Dept. (2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8-5); Haines City Police Dept. (35400 Hwy 27, weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred Police Dept. (190 N. Seminole Avenue, 24hrs/7days); Lakeland Police Dept. (219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, 24hrs/7days); or Winter Haven Police Dept. (125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, weekdays 8-5).  To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.  

For more information on the local Pill Drop event or locations, please contact StandUP Polk Coordinator, Juli Davis, at (863) 802-0777.