The More You Know: Secondhand Marijuana Smoke Risk

 

Secondhand smoke is smoke inhaled when someone lights up nearby. Secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke is known to include risk to the heart and lungs. But is there such a thing as secondhand exposure to marijuana (cannabis) smoke?

Indeed, studies show that there are similar health risks as well as potentially more harmful ones. Secondhand marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxic and cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco, many in higher concentrations. Exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke contains Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the chemical that causes mind-altering effects or the "high".

While more research is needed, a study in rats published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) shows that exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke poses significant health and safety risks such as:

*Respiratory problems - particulate matter in inhaled marijuana smoke may contain ammonia, lead, mercury, nickel and other chemicals that can cause lung irritation, asthma attacks, and complications for those with bronchitis or COPD. Since cannabis is a plant, it may also be contaminated with mold, insecticides, or pesticides. 

*Increases potential for cancer - secondhand marijuana smoke contains some of the same chemicals found in secondhand cigarette smoke that scientists consider to be cancer-causing carcinogens and reproductive toxins. 

*Cardiovascular complications - secondhand marijuana smoke can cause dilation of blood vessels along with similar cardiovascular health effects from cigarettes: blocked arteries, heart attack, and stroke.

*Impairment - secondhand marijuana smoke contains THC - the chemical that creates the "high" in marijuana. Those exposed to high-level THC experience impaired motor skills. Other side effects include anxiety, paranoia, burning eyes, cough, fatigue, headache, nausea, restlessness.

THC can be passed to infants and children through secondhand smoke. Studies have found strong associations between reports of having someone in the home who uses marijuana (parent, relative, caretaker) and the child having detectable levels of THC. More extensive research is needed to understand how secondhand marijuana exposure may affect infants and children long-term. Growing children should be protected at all cost!

For more information, view the UCLA link:  https://www.uclahealth.org/news/secondhand-marijuana-smoke-what-are-the-risks-to-your-health

Pre-February Reminders

 

The calendar page turns to a new month tomorrow so what better time to remind ourselves about the importance of love.💖 Valentine's Day can bring a host of different emotions ...but it's not just about romantic love. We should embrace all of the love in our lives - that for our pets, our families, our friends, and also for ourselves. 

Self-love allows you to accept yourself fully, treat yourself with kindness and respect, and nurture growth and well-being. Not only does self-love improve your relationship with yourself, but also with others. It motivates much of our positive behavior while reducing harmful behavior. 

February challenge: identify one thing you can do for yourself. Perhaps a supportive thought or action. Write it down and follow through.✍Self-love is the gift that keeps on giving long after February is over! 🌹

Visit the New NIAAA “Facts About Teen Drinking” Website

 

Adolescents typically have a desire to experience new things, but experimenting with alcohol is not a good idea. While research shows that underage drinking rates are declining, teens must know the facts on how alcohol can affect their health, how to recognize signs of a drinking problem, and where to find help.

The National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse has recently launched a new webpage for teens called Facts About Teen Drinking. This resource for youth offers updated research-based information on underage drinking with sections including:

Alcohol and Your Health focuses on the effects that alcohol can have on the body now and in the future covering topics such as poor decisions and risky behaviors, blackouts, the brain and mental health. Binge drinking may lead to injury and other negative consequences. It can also lead to alcohol use disorder, disease, and health problems.

Signs of a Problem shares how to recognize early warning signs of an alcohol problem – some symptoms of which can overlap with what may be considered normal teen behavior. Drinking at a young age can cause serious health consequences. It is helpful to know where and how to access trusted resources available to help anyone who is worried about themselves, or a friend or family member who drinks.

Getting Help provides information about who to talk to about getting help for an alcohol-related problem, what to do in case of overdose (alcohol poisoning), and where to find treatment and support resources especially for teens. Adolescents need to build different skills and coping strategies than adults. There are many treatment options available and the earlier you seek help, the better.

The best way to reduce the risk of problems is not to drink. But for some, this may not be the reality so it is crucial that teens know the facts to make informed decisions. Encourage your teens to learn how alcohol can affect their health, how to recognize signs of a drinking problem, and where to find help - visit Facts About Teen Drinking 

Older Adults Are At Risk of Suicide

 

Longer life expectancies do not always translate into longer lives. In our aging society, increasing numbers of older adults may find themselves dealing with debilitating health conditions such as cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer's - diseases that can cause chronic pain and functional decline. Hopelessness about these and other health conditions may lead to the onset of depression and other mental health illnesses.

Recent studies have found that health problems and untreated depression are often drivers of suicide among older Americans. This is especially true among the age group known as "baby boomers" - those born between 1946-1965 - who have historically high rates of suicide as they enter their golden years. 

As older adulthood has become a time of great risk for suicidal thoughts and actions, it is important that family, friends, and caregivers be aware of certain behaviors that can indicate thoughts of self-harm. It can help save a life. 

The SAMHSA website has published warning signs that may indicate someone is at risk of suicide:

*Talking about wanting to die or kill oneself

*Looking for a way to kill oneself
*Talking about being a burden to others
*Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
*Acting anxious or agitated, behaving recklessly
*Sleeping too little or too much
*Withdrawing or feeling isolated
*Displaying extreme mood swings

A critical resource for those experiencing crisis is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline which is available 24/7 and connects mental health professionals to those in crisis. 

Most importantly, let the older adults and everyone in your life know that you love them, there is hope, and they can reach out for help at any time. 💗

Resource: https://www.samhsa.gov/

Bullying Is 100% Preventable!

          

Informative Social Norms messaging continues in our community to share that "Bullying is 100% Preventable!" 💪

InnerAct Alliance's Charlie Davis and Gavin White challenged students at McLaughlin Academy of Excellence middle school to be proactive to reduce bullying on their campus and promote equality. Students visited the IAA table to share the phrase that pays "100% of the human race is deserving of respect and kindness" to receive fun incentive items!

  

Proactive prevention continued at Mulberry High School with Gavin and Kelsi Davis presenting a lunch lesson to encourage peer bullying prevention with special rewards and treats for student participants.🙌

Schools can benefit greatly from using strategies to help prevent bullying on their campus as a way to increase student safety, prevent problem behavior, and improve student outcomes. 

Call the InnerAct Alliance office at (863) 802-0777 to schedule a free informative presentation and share Social Norms messaging that highlights the "upside" that most Polk County students in grades 6-12 are making healthy choices NOT to drink, smoke, vape, or use other drugs. 

 

Thursday Thoughts - Adversity Builds Strength

 

The lessons we learn from navigating difficult times can be the most valuable ones of all. This is a truth that we all need to be reminded of sometimes. 

Today's Thursday Thought from Love to Know was chosen to remind us that "Adversity provides an opportunity to learn how strong you really are."

This reminds me of the lyrics from the Elton John song "I'm Still Standing" - "Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did? / Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid./ And I'm still standing after all this time."

Challenges are part of the human experience. They play a role in making us who we are - without challenges, you may not have an opportunity to learn how powerful you are. 

2024 Own the Upside Prevention Summit - Tuesday, April 9th

 

Mid-Week Self-Check – How Are You Feeling?

 

It’s Wednesday a good time for a mid-week check in…how are you feeling? 

It’s helpful to be aware of what we are feeling, something we might not ordinarily do if not prompted to check in with ourselves more regularly.

Emotional check-ins are important to keep track of the feelings we experience. The colorful graphic from our friends at @Positively Present reminds us that some of our feelings may be more enjoyable than others, but all of our feelings are valuable because they’re a good barometer of our emotions at the time.

Always remain hopeful🍄and allow yourself to feel your feelings – whether it’s to heal them or rejoice in them!

The More You Know: E-Cigarettes & Similar Devices

 

E-cigarettes are known by many names - the most common is e-cigarette. Other terms include e-cigs, vapes, vape pens, mods, and tanks. 

When e-cigarettes were first introduced to the marketplace, their appeal was based on the possible reduction of negative health impacts vs. smoking traditional cigarettes. E-cigarette manufacturers exploited this point with targeted ad campaigns aimed at creating a new generation of users that offered enticing candy and fruit flavors.

Adolescents perceived that e-cigarettes with flavors were less harmful than those with tobacco flavors, creating a misperception that e-cigarettes with flavors did not contain nicotine. Despite growing evidence of health risks and harms, e-cigarette use has increased dramatically over the past decade. 2020 data reported that 1-in-5 high school students and 1-in-9 middle school students used e-cigarettes. These numbers are especially concerning because we know that the earlier in childhood an individual uses nicotine-containing products, the stronger the addiction...and the more difficult it is to quit.

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that can harm the body, especially the adolescent brain. Adolescence is a time when youth are more likely to engage in substance use and experimentation because executive function and neurocognitive processes in their growing brain has not fully developed. Young people are also physiologically more vulnerable to addiction at this age.

Long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are not well understood, but scientific studies clearly indicate vaping is not a safe or healthy alternative to smoking. Knowledge and awareness are key. While research continues into the health consequences of this and other tobacco product trends, arm your teens with the facts so they can make more informed decisions.

Truth Initiative offers a helpful E-Cigarette Fact Sheet:  https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/e-cigarettes-facts-stats-and-regulations

Illegal drugs expected to be top national security threat in 2024

 

Illegal drugs are expected to be a top national security threat this year, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In its annual study released in late 2023, DHS said it expects that illegal drugs produced in Mexico and sold in the U.S. will continue to kill more Americans than any other threat.

More than 100,000 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses during the last year, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 75% of those overdose deaths are from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

It is expected that fentanyl will remain the leading cause of narcotics-related deaths in the U.S. Traffickers have contributed to more deadly mixes of fentanyl on the market. Fentanyl, itself a deadly drug, has been found in counterfeit prescription pills, such as Adderall and Xanax, creating combinations that raise the risk of overdose. In addition, traffickers often bulk fentanyl powder and pills with the animal sedative xylazine (“Tranq”), thus presenting more difficult challenges to standard opioid overdose treatments.

According the DHS report, the illegal narcotics trade also harms our communities by supporting violent criminal enterprises, money laundering, and corruption. DHS and law enforcement have committed to efforts to stop dangerous and illegal drugs from entering our country – seizing more fentanyl and arresting more people for fentanyl-related crimes in the last two years than in the previous five years combined.

It is important to remain informed to keep our kids and communities safe and healthy. 

How to Talk to Youth About Avoiding Risky Behaviors

 

When connecting with a young person in your life about the dangers of substance use, it is important to remember:

* Not to lecture - try to listen and understand their perspective

* Be clear about your position

* Let them know that this is a health concern

* Avoid focusing on punishment

* Share UthMpact Facts showing most Polk Students DO NOT engage in risky behaviors (statistics from Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, 2022) 

Thursday Thoughts - Peace of Mind

 

We all have those days (or weeks) sometimes when everything seems overwhelming and impossible. Even just the feeling of being so stressed can add to the stress itself.

Today's Thursday Thought from Love to Know was chosen to remind us that "Peace of mind is just as important as anything we have to do today."

So, take a minute from your busy schedule today to slow down, take a deep breath, and connect with yourself even for a moment!

Another Look at IAA Community Fun!

Last weekend was one full of fun community events and IAA was proud to take part in a Day of Caring hosted by the Florida Children's Museum at Bonnet Springs Park on Saturday, January 13th to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. 

 

Children were treated to a story time reading by our humane educator, Michelle, and our friendly prevention team of Charlie Davis and Michelle Bachmeier enjoyed meeting families in attendance and helping children make a sweet craft to take home as a remembrance of the day!

Mid-Week Motivation We Can All Use!

 

Sometimes we all need some mid-week motivation so thanks to our friends @ Positively Present for suggesting some helpful and healthy options for emotional expression, self-care, and mental wellbeing.💜💙💓💚

IAA Prevention Outreach in Our Community

The InnerAct Alliance Outreach Team enjoys sharing proactive health-oriented prevention messages with children, teens, students, and families in our schools and at local community events. 

We’re happy to share a few photos from some recent events the IAA team has participated in:

“Bullying is 100% Preventable” is the message that our outreach team members Gavin White, Charlie Davis, and Beverly Feddeler shared with McLaughlin Academy of Excellence middle school students during a social norms lunch visit to the home of the Phoenix on January 11, 2024. Bullying prevention focuses on strategies to reduce bullying behavior and promote respect. Schools can benefit from strategies to help prevent bullying on their campus as a way to increase student safety, prevent problem behavior, and improve student outcomes.

Last weekend, IAA outreach coordinators Tammy Coker and Gavin White enjoyed visiting with attendees at the MLK Jr. College & Career Leadership Forum at the Lake Crago Complex in Lakeland. This informative hands-on experience provided students with insight into potential career opportunities with local businesses and nonprofit organizations. We shared a glimpse of the many rewards of working in the nonprofit sector can offer including a chance to give back to the community we call home. 

If you would like to invite a representative from InnerAct Alliance to share a free education program with your students, PTA, church group, community organization, or business lunch/learn, please call our office at (863) 802-0777. Programs can be tailored for a specific group or audience age. We look forward to hearing from you!

Disposable Vapes Are Illegal so Why are They So Easy to Buy?

 

Vaping has become one of the most popular forms of substance use among young people despite growing evidence of its health risks and harms. According to CDC data on youth tobacco use, it is estimated that 16.5% of high school students use some kind of nicotine product and 14% vape.

Disposable, flavored vapes are not supposed to be sold in our country. A 2023 article in NPR Health researched why illegal products are still widely available both online and in stores and found that part of the challenge stems from how rapidly the market has grown. Since 2020, the number of different vaping devices for sale in the U.S. has exploded, driven by waves of disposable vape models from China. Nearly all of the world’s e-cigarettes – 90% - come from factories in China, but poor diplomatic relations make it hard to stop the influx.

The Food and Drug Administration began to crack down on vaping in 2020, requiring that e-cigarettes have regulatory approval in order to sell.  To date, the agency has only authorized 23 specific e-cig products – all tobacco-flavored alternatives to cigarettes and targeted to adults. Yet illegal products – especially disposable and flavored vapes that are popular with youth and young adults – continue to be sold both online and in stores.

According to Kristy Marynak, a senior scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, numbers over three years have increased by 46% to about 260 brands, each of which market thousands of products. By law, each of these products should apply for and receive approval from the FDA before being sold, but the complexity of the industry makes this difficult to monitor – leaving the door open for brands to continue to market highly addictive and heavily flavored vaping products.

Many anti-smoking advocates are pushing for inspection of local retailers, along with hefty fines/punishments for violations. Inspectors already monitor retail locations for underage sales - crack downs on sales of illegal vapes should follow suit.

Often youth mistakenly believe that vapes are harmless, like inhaling fruit-flavored water vapor. Truth is that vape aerosol is NOT harmless water vapor – it contains dangerous chemicals. Teens who vape could be inhaling seriously addictive levels of nicotine that change the way the brain works and put them at risk for many physical and psychological consequences.

Communities need to be educated and aware. We want to do all we can to protect our children from the negative effects vaping can have on a young person’s developing brain. Click on the easy links below to find updated information and a free vaping guide to help parents and youth learn the facts to make informed decisions about vaping:

https://therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov

https://drugfree.org/drugs/vaping/

Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader of the civil rights movement who championed justice and equality. Dr. King was a foremost advocate of change through nonviolent actions and a powerful speaker whose words still resonate with us today.

Weekend Wishes

 

As the second weekend of 2024 approaches, we send you warm Weekend Wishes🌞... plus it's a 3-day weekend for the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day for most as well! 

Choose a suggestion from @Positively Present to make the most of your weekend - our favorites are for inner peace ☮ 🕯 and meaningful connections 💕inspired by Dr. King's legacy!

IAA Participating in Local Events to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

MLK Day is officially observed on Monday, January 15 nationwide, but local celebrations to honor the legacy of Dr. King’s life through community and civic engagement kick off tomorrow with fun free events in and around the Lakeland area.

InnerAct Alliance is proud to participate in the events commemorating Dr. King’s impact!

Friday, January 12 – MLK LEADERSHIP FORUM offers a free College, Career & Community event to help students build personal and professional skills. Prominent leaders and organizations will provide an engaging experience for students to gain a valuable insight into local businesses and industries. Stop by the IAA table to say hello to Tammy and Gavin from the IAA Outreach Team!

Time: 1pm-4pm

Location: Lake Crago Complex – 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland, FL

Saturday, January 13 – DAY OF CARING to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. includes free admission to the Florida Children’s Museum to enjoy art performances, community resources, and museum exhibits. Say hello to IAA staff members Michelle and Charlie - children may enjoy a special story time reading at 10:30 am in the Black Box Theatre South by our humane educator, Michelle!  

Time: 10am-5pm (story reading 10:30am)

Location: Florida Children's Museum - 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland, FL  

Monday, January 15 - MLK DAY of COMMUNITY SERVICE - sign up for a community improvement project and donate food items at The Joinery (11am-2pm) at 640 E. Main St., Lakeland, FL

Volunteer Sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdewYACMZmniEaXVWLkp4gO7IuM743jdEFiMoYZGNAmMMHotg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Saturday, January 20 – 46th ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE – begins at Providence and West 14th St. at 1pm and ends at MLK Ave. and 2nd St.

Motivation Mocktails to Enjoy In & Around Lakeland

As the second week of the New Year draws to an end you may find yourself looking for something new to spice up your Dry January resolution. 

Our friends at Lakeland Today have come to the rescue with a list of suggested locations in and around Lakeland where you can enjoy a Motivation Mocktail that is as alcohol-free as it is delicious!

Cheers to your favorite🍹🧉

https://laltoday.6amcity.com/guide-mocktails-lakeland?utm_term=laltoday&utm_campaign=daily-newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=laltoday&utm_content=laltoday

 

10 Tips to Keeping Kids Safe, Healthy & Drug Free

 

ABCs of Substance Use Disorder

 

ADDICTION – drug addiction or substance use disorder is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior. It may result in the inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are considered drugs. When addicted, users may continue to use the drug despite knowing the harm it causes, even as it creates problems in everyday life or as it progresses into physical or psychological harm.

BRAIN & BEHAVIOR CHANGES – addiction can begin with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations. Then for some people, drug use becomes more frequent. Drug use can cause absenteeism and loss of motivation leading to declining performance at school or in the workplace. Physical addiction occurs when repeated use of a drug changes the way your brain feels pleasure. Addicting drugs can cause physical changes to nerve cells called neurons in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. These changes can remain long after users stop using the drug.

CAUSES – several factors may contribute to development of drug addiction including environment (family beliefs and attitudes or exposure to a peer group encouraging drug use) and genetics (inherited traits may lead to drug use and delay or speed up disease progression). Risk of addiction and how fast addiction occurs can vary by the type of drug. Opioid painkillers have a higher risk and tend to cause addiction more quickly than others. Soon, larger doses are needed to get high or just to feel good. As drug use increases, users find it to be increasingly difficult to live without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and even physical illness.

PREVENTION - the best way to prevent an addiction to a drug is not to take drugs at all. If your medical provider prescribes a drug with potential for addiction, be sure to follow instructions and use extreme care when taking it. Medications should only be prescribed at safe doses and amounts. Use should be carefully monitored to ensure users are not given too great a dose or taken for too long a time.

To prevent drug misuse in children/teens:

Educate & Communicate. Talk to your children early and often about the risks of drug use and misuse. Don't lecture but be sure to share facts. When kids know the truth, they are more likely to think about and make more informed choices. 

Listen. Be a good listener when your children talk about peer pressure and be supportive of their efforts to resist it. Role play exercises can be effective to show children how to refuse and remove themselves safely from potentially risky behavior or harmful situations. 

Set a good example. Don't misuse alcohol or addictive drugs. Children of parents who misuse drugs are at greater risk of drug addiction.

Strengthen the bond. Work on your relationship with your children. A strong, stable bond between you and your child will reduce your child's risk of using or misusing drugs. 

Happy National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

 

Happy National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day!

THANK YOU to all of our law enforcement partners
 for your hard work, courage, dedication, and sacrifice each day.

Resolve to Lock Your Meds for Medication Safety

 

InnerAct Alliance is proud to partner with Informed Families to promote safe, healthy homes through their "Lock Your Meds" campaign. We invite your family to join us in making 2024 the year of safety and well-being.

Improper and unsecured medication storage can lead to accidental poisonings especially in homes with young children. Teen years bring additional challenges, as curiosity can lead to experimentation and potential misuse. Studies show that more than 3.1 million teens ages 12-17 report misusing prescription drugs - the majority report obtaining the drugs from the medicine cabinets of family or friends.

Let's take steps to ensure that our children grow up drug free by taking responsibility to lock up all medication so it does not get into the wrong hands.

Practical Steps for Medication Safety

💊 Secure Storage - invest in a lockable medicine box or cabinet as an effective way to keep medications out of the wrong hands. 

💊 Medication Inventory - check medications regularly and keep a log of all prescription and over-the-counter medication and expiration dates. This habit not only helps in managing health but also in prevention accidental misuse.

💊 Safe Disposal - National Prescription Drug Take Back Days are held in the Spring and Fall each year for citizens to drop off unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter human and pet medications for disposal in a safe and responsible manner. The 2024 Spring Take Back Day will take place in our community on Saturday, April 27 at participating law enforcement locations. Look for additional info to be announced soon!

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county's permanent drop sites, funded by GiveWell Community Foundation, at the Police Department locations in Auburndale (weekdays 8-5); Haines City (weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (weekdays 8-5). Only solids are accepted in permanent drop boxes (no liquids or syringes). To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.

Community Impact

Safely securing medications helps reduce the risk of them falling into the hands of those who might misuse them, thus playing a part in the larger effort to combat prescription drug abuse in our communities.

Join us in making 2024 the year of safety and well-being. For tips, resources, and guidance on how to make your home safer, please visit the Informed Families website at: https://www.informedfamilies.org/  

Take Action - January To-Do List

 

During 2023, InnerAct Alliance enjoyed sharing colorful graphics with self care suggestions from our friends @Positively Present. A regular self care routine can help maintain physical and mental health, reduce anxiety and stress, and boost self-esteem and happiness.

In 2024, the positivity continues to help you increase overall wellness and be the best version of yourself! The new year's fresh start encourages us to Take Action in the form of a monthly To Do List. 📅 Personally, I love to-do lists to prioritize what is most important to accomplish that day, week, or month. When I type or write something down, it helps relieve the need to hold on to it mentally. 🤯

January's To-Do favorites from the list are Focus on Optimism and Find Time for Fun!😀Whether it's an actual written list, calendar notation, or sticky-notes, to-do lists help keep the focus on productivity. Is there anything more satisfying than checking off tasks when they're completed? ✔

Looking forward to sharing motivation in the form of monthly to-do lists to keep us all inspired!💡

Celebrate the UPSIDE of Substance Abuse Prevention Education

 

Underage use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances are challenges facing every community, but statistics show that prevention education and social norms messaging can help youth learn the facts and skills needed to help them act responsibly and make healthy choices.

InnerAct Alliance and our coalition partners StandUP Polk (adult) and UthMpact (youth) are proud to celebrate the positives in youth culture using statistics collected among Polk County youth in the annual Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS).

"UthMpact Facts" share the reality that most Polk Teens are making the right choices by choosing NOT to drink, smoke, or use substances and the numbers have declined in Polk County since 2010.

In fact, 84% of Polk Teens DO NOT use Alcohol - 87% DO NOT use Marijuana - 96% DO NOT use Traditional Tobacco - 88% DO NOT Vape or use E-Cigarettes.

Knowing the truth can help kids avoid succumbing to peer pressure because they feel confident in making more informed personal decisions after knowing and considering all the facts. 

One of the major goals of substance abuse prevention programs is to delay the age of onset of substance use. As a licensed provider for prevention education in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties since 1985, InnerAct Alliance believes in empowering youth and encouraging adults to make smart choices, be stronger role models, and engage in healthy activities. Our team of prevention professionals provide substance abuse and anti-bullying education in nearly 70 schools, as well as tools for youth tobacco, anger management, and other risky behaviors.

IAA in the Schools: 

Too Good for Drugs (elementary & high school) - a character-building program promoting healthy development by teaching social/emotional skills to help set reachable goals, make healthy choices, communicate effectively, and resist peer pressure. Students are provided with tools to manage real-world challenges and understand addiction, resist social influences, avoid unhealthy risk-taking, and explore healthy alternatives.

Keep a Clear Mind (elementary) - a science-based prevention program encouraging parent-child interaction through take-home activities and incentives that teach essential skills such as setting reachable goals, making responsible decisions, managing emotions, and communicating effectively.

Project ALERT (middle school) - a school-based prevention program that focuses on alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use and teaches ways to understand and resist social influences and avoid experimentation.

PAX Game Life Skills (elementary) - an environmental intervention program that creates a positive classroom environment conducive to learning to help reduce off-task behavior, increase attentiveness/decrease disruptive behavior, improve mental health, and reduce substance use outcomes. 

Youth Tobacco and Other Drugs (YTOD) and Anger Management - information-based education courses held virtually for youth aged 12-17 that focus on substance abuse prevention, good decision-making, and health issues related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use as well as valuable skills to help manage emotional and anger issues.

IAA in the Community:

Own the Upside Trailer (community groups serving parents/adults) - a one-of-a-kind interactive mobile exhibit offering parents and adults a tour through a simulated teen's bedroom to learn about current trends and interact with items on display that show how common objects may signal potential involvement in drugs and risky behaviors.

Humane Education (pre-K/elementary) - an impactful education program using high quality, age-appropriate literature, critical thinking techniques, and activities to reinforce healthy ways to interact with peers and promote animal welfare. Live or stuffed animals may be used in the presentation to enhance learning outcome.

Mindful Journaling for Teens - this free program provided in partnership with Polk County Library Cooperative and Davenport Historical Society offers youth ages 12-17 an opportunity to learn about the benefits of journaling and how it can be used as a positive tool for expression, easing stress, and sparking self-discovery. Handcrafted journals and materials to create friendship bracelets are provided free of charge to attendees.

Social Norms Messaging - our outreach team of UthMpact teen leaders and IAA staff are committed to promoting the positives in Polk youth culture by sharing "UthMpact Facts" showing the majority of teens are making the right choices not to drink, smoke, or use other substances.

Community Events - come say hello to IAA's outreach team who will participate in community events such as the Tanglewood Health Fair for Seniors in Sebring (Jan. 10), MLK Leadership Forum (Jan. 12), and Florida Children's Museum's Day of Caring at Bonnet Springs Park to honor Dr. King's legacy (Jan. 13).

YOU Can Support the Prevention Initiative! - please consider inviting a representative from InnerAct Alliance to share a free education program with your school students or PTA, church group, community organization, or business lunch/learn by calling (863) 802-0777. Programs can be tailored for a specific group or audience age. For more information, please visit www.inneractalliance.org