Heat’s Effect on Mental Health and Wellbeing

 

People may not realize that summer heat can play a role in mental health and wellness. Hot temperatures and humidity can adversely affect the most vulnerable members of the population in the extremes of ages - babies and young children as well as older adults age 65 & older. Both may be at risk since they may be less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature.

Heat can affect older people due to medications they may be taking and how their bodies are able to adapt to and regulate heat. High temperatures can increase potential side effects of medicines and toxicity levels in the body. Physical implications may also bring on heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Staying properly hydrated is very important along with good nutrition and daily gentle exercise and movement.

The American Psychiatric Association lists mental implications of suffering from extreme heat as trouble sleeping, irritability or increased incidents of aggression, suicide, and substance abuse. Other signs to look for when it comes to someone being adversely affected by the heat, shared by the National Institutes of Health, may include: sadness, anxiousness, feelings of hopelessness or helplessness. Older Adults may not be themselves - showing physical symptoms like decreased energy or fatigue or loss of interest in doing everyday things.

Mental health and wellbeing affect all of us so it's important to be understanding, show empathy, watch out for each other, and reach out for help when it is needed. Locally, the Peace River Center offers a broad range of mental health, victim services, and substance use disorder services throughout Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties for those who may be in need.

https://www.peacerivercenter.org

 

Carfentanil: A Dangerous New Factor in the Opioid Crisis

 

Over the past two decades, synthetic opioids have increased the threat of the ongoing opioid epidemic. Nearly 70% of all drug poisonings and overdose deaths in 2023 involved synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Also, among these substances is Carfentanil which stands out at this time as one of the deadliest fentanyl analogues. This white, powdery drug closely resembles other substances like fentanyl or cocaine, but its danger far exceeds that of nearly any other opioid on the street.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid originally developed for veterinary use to tranquilize large animals. It's very potent and not approved for human use. In fact, it is estimated to be 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl. Recently, there's been an increased presence of carfentanil in the illicit drug market - a tiny .02mg can induce a powerful, often deadly effect in humans. According to the CDC, deaths involving carfentanil increased approximately sevenfold - from 29 deaths in January-June 2023 to 238 deaths in January-June 2024. The majority of carfentanil seizures throughout 2024 were in a pill or tablet form, not the typical powder form previously encountered.

The recent Carfentanil Trend is concerning due to: increased risk of overdose (extreme potency increases risk of overdose and death - even a single pill) and deceptive appearance (carfentanil pressed into pills resembles prescription medications leading to consumption by individuals who believe they are taking a less potent drug).   

Exposure to carfentanil can cause respiratory depression or arrest, drowsiness, sedation, pinpoint pupils, disorientation, and clammy skin. Its rapid effect on the central nervous system leaves little time for life-saving interventions. Naloxone may not be effective. Awareness is critical to preventing overdoses and poisonings involving synthetic opioids. Anyone who may encounter illicit substances including powders and fake pills, should be aware of the potential presence of carfentanil.

Investigations Lead to Largest Fentanyl Seizure in Polk County History

 

In local news, 8 suspects linked to the Mexican-based Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have been arrested accused of trafficking 64 pounds of Fentanyl, worth $4.5 million, into Florida and Arizona. Two separate multi-agency undercover investigations into Fentanyl drug trafficking, led by the Polk County Sheriff's Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, have resulted in a law enforcement seizure of 29 pounds of Fentanyl during investigation of the Jalisco Cartel and 35 pounds of Fentanyl from the Sinaloa Cartel. These back-to-back operations underscore the ongoing threat posted by international drug trafficking organizations.

Sheriff Grady Judd shared that the Fentanyl found was packaged in compact bricks labeled with numbers and names like "Cartoon Network" to mask the content hidden inside of hollowed-out car batteries. Early on, detectives said they coordinated shipments of pills and powder. Judd said the major operation took them to stash houses and drug operations also in Daytona Beach and Atlanta. All suspects now face charges linked to trafficking Fentanyl and conspiracy to traffic the drug. According to the Sheriff, "These people are violent, these people want your money, and they don't care whether or not they take your life."

On the impact of this potent drug on our local neighborhoods, Sheriff Judd said, "We do have a crisis - when 340,000 people have died of Fentanyl overdose between 2018-2023 in the United States. This is the largest seizure of Fentanyl in Polk County to date - in just these two investigations, my detectives seized 64 pounds of Fentanyl, which is enough to kill millions of people. We will continue to go after these criminals to reduce the flow of these deadly drugs into the U.S. and Florida." 

The investigation was conducted through the State Financial Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) Florida Program. In 2023, the Florida Legislature established funding for the S.A.F.E. program to help conduct investigations specifically to combat illegal Fentanyl trafficking. We appreciate the Polk Sheriff's Office and local law enforcement for continuing to be vigilant and act to keep our community safe.

Read more:
https://www.polksheriff.org/news-investigations/polk-county-news/2025/06/24/eight-suspects-arrested-and-64-pounds-of-fentanyl-worth-$4.5-million-seized-in-two-separate-fentanyl-drug-trafficking-investigations-largest-seizure-in-polk-county-s-history

View the Media Conference on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kSllnjbOEU&ab_channel=FOX13TampaBay

Emerging Drug Alert: Pink Cocaine the U.S.

 

New and more potent drugs seem to enter the illicit drug supply every day. The Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA) recently issued a substance use trend alert about an illicit drug made from a mixture of substances that Florida residents should be aware of.

What is Pink Cocaine (Tusi) and why is it dangerous? - Pink Cocaine, aka "tusi" (2C) has increased in popularity among young people who think it's a party drug like cocaine or molly. According to the DEA, pink cocaine is a powdered mix of substances that produce mind-altering, hallucinogenic effects. Pink cocaine may seem less harmful because of its colorful appearance, but it's far from safe. Lab testing has identified that the pink powder may contain a combination of substances including ketamine, mixed with MDMA (aka molly or ecstasy), methamphetamine, caffeine, and other mind-altering substances. It may also contain opioids, bath salts, LSD, and mescaline - combinations that can be very dangerous because users are ingesting an unknown mixture of depressants and stimulants that give conflicting messages to the body. 

Pink Cocaine in Florida - in 2024, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner reported occurrences of pink cocaine in overdose deaths in South Florida. Twelve counties in the U.S. had the highest EMS encounters for nonfatal tusi-related overdoses from January 2022-February 2025, with 30 tusi-related overdoses reported in Hillsborough and Miami-Dade counties. 

Stay informed about emerging drug threats to educate yourself and your children. 

FADAA Alert Link:

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.fadaa.org/resource/resmgr/files/resource_center/reports/TA6_PinkCocaine.pdf  

  

UthMpact Leadership Class XV is Off to a Great Start

 

UthMpact Leadership Class XV's new executive board members came together for their Annual Leadership Retreat earlier this month. 

Members of the exec board include: Kendall Castano (President); Audra Ezell (Vice President); Gioselin Oropeza (Secretary); Colton Hance (Treasurer); Hannah Hendrix and Delaney Pieske (Historians); Bryce Dhue (Sergeant-at-Arms). These impressive student leaders were provided with opportunities to practice their public speaking skills and spend time planning the busy agenda for the year ahead.

On Day 1 of the Retreat, warm-up activities began with breaking into small groups to create posters to outline challenges they see within their own schools and friends groups. Lunch break provided the fuel to begin brainstorming ideas for the UthMpact Podcast which will be ramping back up soon.

During a busy Day 2, teen leaders visited the IAA office to learn their way around the broadcasting equipment and polish their speaking skills for the podcast. Watch for the 1st podcast of the season at: https://www.instagram.com/thempactpodcast/

Rounding out Day 3, the executive board focused on planning for future UthMpact Class XV activities including monthly Leadership Days when the group travels throughout the county to experience the inner workings of local business, government, healthcare, education, law enforcement and volunteerism.

UthMpact is the dynamic youth coalition committed to helping educate and deliver substance abuse prevention messages to teens by their peers. Goals include positive community engagement; changing stereotypes about teen drug use by volunteering, informing, and being educated; and setting examples for other teens by encouraging alcohol and tobacco prevention and cessation while sharing true facts about substances through social norms. We wish UthMpact Leadership Class XV a fun and productive year ahead!

Healthy Thoughts Can Cure Mind & Body

 

Scientific studies suggest that our minds can play an important role in healing our bodies. It is interesting to explore how mental perception of the world can inform and guide the immune system and how the body responds. 

We know our minds and bodies are connected - when we are not feeling at our best mentally, many times doing some type of physical activity can help enhance our mood. Similarly, adjusting our outlook with positive thinking and a healthy mindset may help boost our physical health too.

Practice using your mind to strengthen your body:

Embrace optimism for a more hopeful outlook

Try Meditation to ward off stress

Laugh more to release positive hormones

Focus on positive perception

Make each day count

Work toward what you believe in

Feel gratitude

Realize what's important in life

Honoring Freedom on Juneteenth

 

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration to mark the final end of slavery when the last of the enslaved people learned of their freedom in America. It is also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, or Emancipation Day.

After the Emancipation Proclamation was issued to free American slaves in the Confederate states in 1863, it took a while for slaves in isolated areas to hear the news. Some slave owners kept word from those they had enslaved so they would not flee. But, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas to deliver the message that the war was over so all slaves would know of their freedom.

Juneteenth honors African Americans who helped to build this nation. In 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Act establishing June 19 as a federal holiday. The day's celebrations often include prayer and religious services, educational events, family gatherings, and events with food, music, and dancing. It is a reminder of the long fight for freedom and the work we must continue to do to build a better future with liberty and justice for all.