40 Years – 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance - Story #6 Huge Impact! Meet Our Founder!

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #6: Meet Our Founder:

Our agency was founded in 1985 by a small group of individuals who came together and worked tirelessly to offer much-needed resources and drug education information to our community.

Meet Kaye B. McConnell - Our Visionary Founder

After experiencing two heartbreaking personal tragedies as an educator in Polk County Schools, Kaye was inspired to champion the anti-drug effort. In 1975, while teaching sixth grade at Scott Lake Elementary, two students took medication that wasn't theirs from a medicine cabinet at home. Around the same time, one of her childhood friends died as a result of drug abuse.

While Kaye searched for prevention resources, there weren't any - so she began writing her own drug prevention curriculum called "Meology." Soon, she and a handful of Polk County volunteers came together to start our nonprofit.

From Humble Beginnings to Community Movement: As the agency grew, we partnered with Polk County Schools and local businesses. The "Just Say No" Marches got larger, louder, and prouder. Students loved having their voices heard saying "No Drugs in Our Town." Local and state dignitaries joined the effort, which received television coverage throughout Central Florida.

Pictured: Our founder, Kaye McConnell (left) with Dr. Marti O'Brien (right), former educator, Board-President, and Advisory Board Member, who with her husband Roger remains a strong supporter:

Were you part of those early marches? Contact us, we'd love to hear from you!

Help Make a HUGE IMPACT
$40 = student participation incentives
$400 = supplies & staff time to bring back Fifth Grade Rallies
$4,000 = bus transportation, venue rental, guest speaker & a/v set up for Rallies

Donate by

texting IAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

Kudos to Polk County Sheriff’s Office for Taking Fentanyl & Meth Off the Streets

 

Congratulations to PCSO's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (H.I.D.T.A.) for spearheading disruption of trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine into the county during two recent special operations resulting in key arrests along with seizures of dangerous drugs and weapons. Operation Bloodline and Operation Flatline resulted in the arrests of 51 suspects and seizure of 78lbs. of methamphetamine, 14.55 pounds of fentanyl, 13 firearms, and $20,000 in U.S. currency.

PCSO teamed up with State Prosecutors, FDLE, and other agencies to investigate a local Florida gang leaders and his counterparts in a drug trafficking organization operating in neighboring counties including Polk, Hillsborough, Osceola, Orange, Volusia, and Pasco. Using resources from the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) grant, undercover detectives were able to participate in transactions in which they intercepted a delivery of ten pounds of methamphetamine and also identified a methamphetamine supply-line chain that ran from California to Polk County. 

Sheriff Grady Judd had this to say in a February 13th statement: "Traffickers of methamphetamine and fentanyl are literally murdering people and tearing apart families. The men and women who go after these drug dealers are doing a noble, but dangerous job - putting their own lives on the line, to protect their communities from the drug-traffickers who are profiting from this destruction."

In the same statement, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier commended participating law enforcement agencies saying, "This was a highly organized, fentanyl-pushing enterprise operating in Central Florida that had ties all the way to California. We will continue dismantling these organizations from the top down. Anyone who traffics these poisons in Florida will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent."

More from the Sheriff's Office February 13 media release:  https://www.polksheriff.org/news-investigations/polk-county-news/2026/02/13/pcso-s-operation-bloodline-and-operation-flatline-multi-agency-investigation-disrupts-fentanyl-and-methamphetamine-drug-trafficking-organizations 

Celebrate All the Love in Our Lives!

 

Wishing Everyone an early Happy Valentine's Day & Weekend Ahead! This is a perfect time to remind ourselves about the importance of all kinds of love in our life. 💖

Valentine's Day can bring out a host of different emotions, but it's not just about romantic love, flowers, and chocolate. We should embrace all of the love in our lives - that for our pets, our families, our friends, and most of all, for ourselves!

This Valentine's weekend, let's all remember to show Ourselves some love by continuing to look for the light in life, staying open to new ideas, standing up for what you believe in, and letting your true self shine...thanks to our friends at @PositivelyPresent for this colorful and timely reminder!

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. Self-love is the gift that keeps on giving long after February is over! 🌷

40 Years – 40 Stories | Story #5: Teaching Empathy, Kindness & Positive Choices

 

Story #5: Teaching Empathy, Kindness & Positive Choices

For four decades, InnerAct Alliance has served Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties with effective evidence-based programs to educate about substance abuse prevention and support youth to succeed in all aspects of their lives.

The Humane Education Program

One of our newest prevention efforts is the Humane Education Program, an evidence-based program that promotes empathy, kindness, and critical thinking in young children. Our humane educator uses age-appropriate literature, critical thinking techniques, and engaging activities to teach PreK through 3rd graders healthy ways to interact with their peers. Plus, there's a fun option to include live animals (or stuffed animals) in presentations!

Pictured above: Local high school students learn current social norms facts (left); Our humane educator partnering with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, students, and an adorable puppy learning about kindness and compassion (right).

Social Norms: Changing Perspectives with Positive Messages

We're also reaching high school students during lunch breaks with Social Norms messaging that proactively changes perspectives about substance use. The positive message? Most of their peers are NOT involved in substance use and risky behaviors! This FREE program provides all materials needed.

We believe every child deserves a safe, healthy, and drug-free future!

Support Our Prevention Programs:

$40 = student participation incentives

$400 = books & materials for Humane Education

$4,000 = additional support staff for Social Norms outreach

Donate by

texting IAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #HumaneEducation #SocialNorms #EmpathyEducation #PreventionWorks #PolkCounty #PositiveChoices #DrugFreeFuture

Prevention Begins at Home: Stay Vigilant During Cold/Flu Season

 

Prevention begins at home - more specifically in the home medicine cabinet! Now that it's cold and flu season, parents must stay particularly vigilant about what is accessible in your home. Youth have been known to misuse cough and cold medications. Keep all medication out of the reach of children and teens - both prescription and over-the-counter.💊

This is a good reminder to talk to your children at early ages about substance use and misuse. Tell them that even OTC medications used to treat the common cold and flu can be risky if they are not taken as directed or prescribed. 

It's also a good time to clean out all used, expired, or unneeded prescription and non-prescription medication and bring it to the Spring DEA Medication Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10am to 2pm, at participating police department locations throughout Polk County (locations pending) for proper disposal. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

40 Years – 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance – Story #4: The Red Ribbon Run Legacy

 

Story #4: The Red Ribbon Run Legacy

October is National Red Ribbon Month and InnerAct Alliance has been recognized for hosting one of the largest drug prevention awareness campaigns in the state of Florida! Each year, we distribute Red Ribbons, the national symbol for drug prevention, to encourage schools, churches, and community members to wear and display them in support of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

A Tradition Born in 1992: The first Red Ribbon Run began in October 1992 as a one-mile fun run to prevent harm and promote health. This beloved community event has grown tremendously over the past three decades!

Today's Red Ribbon Run features:

Kids Fun Run (FREE for grades K-8)

Family Fun Run for adults to run/walk with their children

World Tour vendor area with healthy snacks & fitness activities

Trophies and ribbons awarded in timed grade heats

Save the Date:

The 2026 Red Ribbon Run is Saturday, October 31! Join thousands of families at Lake Mirror in Lakeland for this FREE celebration of healthy, drug-free living. Registration opens soon!

Support the Red Ribbon Run:
$40 = 4 families can participate in the 2026 Red Ribbon Run
$500 = sponsor a Grade Heat
$1,000 = Bronze Sponsorship + your name on Run t-shirts
$4,000 = Silver Sponsorship + your name on Run T-t-shirts

Donate by

Texting IAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #RedRibbonRun #RedRibbonMonth #DrugFreeLiving #PolkCounty #LakeMirror #HealthyFamilies #PreventionWorks

Celebrating Black History Month

 

During the month of February, we honor Black History Month across the United States to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black and African Americans past and present and take time to learn more about diverse communities, cultures, and people.

Black History Month started with the past and the heroes who had the courage to stand up for what they believed in. Its message continues when we all make an effort to learn more about our neighbors and celebrate inclusion by attending special public events that bring in music, speakers, and activities in our community. During this month, let's deepen our understanding and commitment to freedom and equality as we continue to work to end racism in all forms. ❤

Thanks to April and our friends at Lakeland Mom for sharing a list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Polk  County this month including the City of Lakeland's Black History Festival in Jackson Park on Saturday, February 15, from 10am to 2pm. Attendees will enjoy artisan vendors, food trucks, activities for kids, and more for families. On the mobile stage, there will be entertainment from dance to the spoken word. Inside the Coleman-Bush building, the City will highlight the history of the building and Park. This is a FREE event open to the public and features fun for all ages.

Check out the fun in & around
Lakeland and Polk County this month

https://lakelandmom.com/things-to-do-in-february/?utm_content=link_id&utm_medium=email&utm_source=flodesk