Tidings of Comfort & Joy from Ye Merry UthMpact Leaders!

 

This holiday season, we'd like to share some of the incredible training and leadership opportunities enjoyed by the student leaders of tomorrow who are currently taking part in the UthMpact Leadership Class XIV Program, presented by InnerAct Alliance and our generous community sector partners.

During November's UthMpact Law Enforcement Leadership Day, youth leaders had a chance to go behind the scenes in local law enforcement. First was s stop at the new inmate processing center, then a tour of the training center where teens took turns trying the simulator. At the Polk Courthouse, students enjoyed meeting Honorable James Yancey of the 10th Judicial Court and learned what a baliff does to help keep judges and others at court proceedings safe. After touring the jail pods, it was fun to watch the K-9 Unit demonstration at the hangar where large law enforcement vehicles and equipment are stored. Unique experiences continued with a trip to the Medical Examiner's Office to learn about its role in death and criminal investigations. A busy day wrapped at the Emergency Communications Center at Polk County Sheriff's Office.

UthMpact closed out 2024 with December's UthMpact Business Leadership Day with stops to learn about taking care of business in our community. First, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union's Operations Center welcomed the teens for a facility tour and special budget activity. After exercising brainpower, it was time for a sweet treat at the Publix Dairy Plant where the teens enjoyed a special tour and ice cream sampling before heading off to The Dream Center of Lakeland to donate hygiene products at the community store and help with various tasks. Next on the agenda, IAA teacher Michelle B., challenged the team to out-of-the-box thinking as they worked to decode tasks involving distracted driving, math, and sewing. Students had a great day overall and learned so much about our community's outstanding business sectors at work! 

Stay Safe During National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month

 

The holiday season is filled with fun celebrations and we want you to enjoy all of them - safely! Please be responsible and remember the dangers that come along with impaired driving during December's National Drug & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the potentially devastating consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.🚫🍹💊

Every day, approximately 37 lives are lost in the U.S. to drunk-driving crashes - that's one person every 39 minutes. In 2022 alone, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, including innocent children and passengers. These tragedies are 100% preventable.

The effects of alcohol and drugs impair critical functions like decision-making, reasoning, and motor coordination - all essential for driving safely. Even small amounts of alcohol or drugs in a person's system can significantly increase the risk of a crash. This is not just a problem for those who drink; the ripple effects of these decisions impact families, communities, and society as a whole.

As you celebrate this holiday season, please remember to prioritize safety - arrange a designated driver, use a ride-share service, or simply choose not to drive if impaired. By making responsible choices, we can all play a role in keeping our roads safe!

Mutal Family Trust is a Valued Protective Factor

 

Communication between parents and children about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs is more important than ever with substances becoming more dangerous, appealing, addictive, and easier to conceal. Kids are much less likely to use drugs and alcohol when they have two-way ongoing conversations with their parents about the risk of substance use. Remind them early and often about family expectations - it means more to them than you realize.👪

Research shows that the most influential ages are 9-13. After that, teens tend to be more peer influenced but parents can still provide a solid foundation. Prevention statistics prove that safety factors also increase when students have prevention instruction in their schools as well!

Parents, you got this!✊Let's be our children's most trusted source of information, guidance, and support on these complicated topics by fostering ongoing dialogue and continuing to build mutual lifelong trust between kids of all ages and the adults who care about them - sounds like a great 2025 new year's resolution!

Trending Drinking Alert: “BORG” Blackout Rage Gallons

College students are turning to a risky trend called "BORG" (Blackout Rage Gallons), a drinking challenge that has become popular on social media, especially on TikTok. In 2024, there were 16,500 posts with the hashtag #BORG  and some posts had a million views or more.

What is BORG? - BORG drinking made headlines after over 40 students at the University of Massachusetts were hospitalized in 2023 after taking part in a BORG drinking challenge. Students make and carry their own gallon-size container or jug when they go out with friends or to parties and drink from it all night. According to the Partnership to End Addiction, ingredients and methods may vary but there's typically about a fifth of alcohol (usually vodka) mixed with water, flavor-enhancers, electrolytes, and sometimes caffeinated beverages. Liquid could be red, blue, yellow, orange, or green in color. The jug may have a pop-culture phrase written on it in marker. Some popular phrases used are: "Maybe she's BORG with it" - "Breaking BORG" - "Captain Borgan" - "Sponge Borg Square Pants" - Ruth Bader Ginsborg"

Why BORG? - some students say they bring their own jugs to parties or events to prevent someone from spiking their drink. They claim it's a safer drinking experience that makes them more in control and aware of how much alcohol they are consuming. By including electrolytes and water, teens may think this will help them stay better hydrated to prevent a hangover.

False Sense of Security - students claim the homemade BORG helps reduce binge drinking, but experts say the large amount of alcohol in the gallon-size jugs can actually encourage consuming excessive amounts of alcohol over a short period of time. It is considered to be binge drinking when a female consumes the equivalent of 4 or more alcoholic drinks in about 2 hours - or - when a male has the equivalent of 5 or more alcoholic drinks in about 2 hours. 

In reality, BORGs contain more alcohol than a standard drink and may encourage teens to overconsume alcohol, become extremely drunk, and reach dangerous levels of alcohol poisoning.

⚠ Risky BORGness:
* High alcohol content leading to alcohol poisoning may require emergency attention
* Combining alcohol, caffeine, and energy drinks can mask effects of alcohol, causing over-drinking
* Serious health consequences like dehydration, blackouts, increased heart/liver rates, poor decision-making

Talk to your high school and college-age children about BORGs - share about the risks, set boundaries, and offer support for healthier choices. Stay informed and keep your loved ones safe!

https://drugfree.org/article/borg-drinking-trend-what-parents-need-to-know/?

 

Elton John Shares His Firm Stance Against Marijuana Legalization

 

As part of their Icon of the Year coverage, Time Magazine recently published an interview with legendary singer/songwriter Elton John who shared his thoughts about the legalization of marijuana in parts of the U.S. and Canada calling it "one of the greatest mistakes of all time."

John revealed that he suffered from alcohol and drug addiction for a period of time during his music career. "I maintain that it's addictive," he said. "It leads to other drugs. And when you're stoned - and I've been stoned - you don't think normally."

His battles continued after being introduced to cocaine in 1974. When describing this time in his life, John admitted his personal experience with addiction led to his firm stance against marijuana use and that the drugs had disastrous effects on his personal life, "You make terrible decisions on drugs."

These admissions from the legendary singer come from the perspective of a former addict who has now been sober since 1990. Earlier this year, John shared an Alcoholics Anonymous chip with the caption that read, "34 years clean and sober. My life has never been better."

This story is further proof that alcohol and drug addiction does not discriminate. People from all walks of life can easily become addicted. The best choice is not to risk experimenting with alcohol and drugs at all!

Festive Alcohol-Free Holiday Drinks & Mocktails

 

There are many ways to enjoy the holidays without drinking. It's not the alcohol that creates a special mood, it's the time spent with those you care about that makes it meaningful. 

Recipes are available to mix up fun non-alcoholic Christmas drinks for those who can't drink alcohol or choose not to. Why not try one of these festive Alcohol-Free Christmas Drinks to make your holidays that much cozier:

Fancy Hot Chocolate - there's no better way to enjoy the holidays than sipping a hot cup of cocoa next to the Christmas tree🎄Enjoy this holiday drink without spirits - whether it's an alcohol-free Irish Cream recipe or simply combining your favorite hot chocolate with fun toppings like whipped cream and sprinkles.

Mulled Cider - anything mulled makes the ideal drink in the winter. Cloudy cider and apple juice🍎 are staples of the holiday season. All you need to do is make some mulling bags to have them ready. Use muslin cloth and fill it with cinnamon sticks, anise, cloves, peppercorns, and ginger. Tie it up with a food-safe string. Add mixture to a pan with your chosen liquid, heat it, and let it sit. Add oranges to the pan. Then let it cool and garnish your drink with orange-studded cloves to make it more festive.

Chai - while Chai might not be the traditional drink, this time of year, it can be comforting on cold winter nights.🥛 Heat your milk of choice in a pan and add a regular Chai teabag. Drop some cardamom pods and ginger slices into the pan. Let it simmer until the milk has taken on the aromatic flavors while being careful not to burn the milk. Finally, strain the mixture into your favorite mug and add sugar to sweeten.

Check out 30+ Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drinks

https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g29386984/non-alcoholic-christmas-drinks/

Please Support Prevention Education During the Season of Giving

 

Addiction does not discriminate! Addiction and substance abuse are widespread issues in our society that affect families and communities and impact lives often in dramatic ways. It crosses every socio-economic and cultural line, no matter who you are or where you come from. The sad reality is that everyone knows someone who has been affected by the epidemic of substance use. 

Addiction & substance abuse are preventable and treatable! Prevention education is a cost-effective method for lowering rates of underage drinking and substance use by adolescents. Advocating for increased primary prevention efforts not only saves money, but it can also spare teens and families from the devastating emotional toll that comes from addiction. It is not a “one-and-done” strategy – building positive norms around healthy choices and mitigating negative norms requires consistent practice and reinforcement.

This is where InnerAct Alliance (IAA) comes in! Since 1985, our nonprofit substance abuse prevention agency has been committed to leading local efforts to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors through Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. Our IAA board of directors and staff are dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.

Invest in Our Community! Each year, IAA helps to educate thousands of students on the dangers of drugs and empowers adults to live a quality life by investing in their families and community. Programs are based on prevention models proven to increase protective factors and decrease risk factors for youth in grades K-12. 

Services offered in the Hardee, Highlands and Polk county areas include science-based education classes, teen-driven social norms marketing, and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, community groups, and others in need with an important substance abuse prevention message. IAA also serves as the fiscal agent for StandUP Polk (adult-based) and UthMpact (youth-based) Coalitions for a Drug-Free Polk.

As a nonprofit, we are proud to accomplish much while stretching every dollar received! We rely on local support since prevention program funding continues to decrease each year. During this season of giving, donations of any amount are welcome to help us work together towards a happier, healthier future for us all - thank you for being a vital part of our mission!

https://www.inneractalliance.org/donations.html

https://www.paypal.com/biz/profile/inneractalliancedprc