40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #31: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Eliana Browning & Kendall Castano

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #31: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates - Elaina Browning & Kendall Castano

As we continue celebrating our 2025-2026 UthMpact Leadership Class XV graduates, we are honored to highlight two more exceptional young leaders who completed the program on April 1, 2026!

Today, we celebrate UthMpact Graduates:

🎓Eliana Browning
Florida Southern College 
Majoring in Art History and Museum Studies

🎓Kendall Castano
University of Florida
Majoring in Economics

The UthMpact Experience - These graduates traveled throughout Polk County on monthly Leadership Days to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. They learned critical leadership skills while educating their peers about substance abuse prevention through project such as Project Prom, Project HOCO, and UthMpact Facts social norms campaigns.

Congratulations, Elaina and Kendall! 🎓 Your dedication to leadership and prevention has made a lasting impact on our community and we can't wait to see all you'll accomplish! 

*UthMpact: https://www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk?

*Contact: Samantha Barwig @ (863) 802-0777

*Support Prevention: https://www.inneractalliance.org/donations.html

*Text IAA to 26989

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #UthMpact #ClassOf2026 #GraduatingSeniors #FutureLeaders #ProudMoment #PolkCounty #YouthLeadership

Daily Marijuana Use May Worsen Pain Over Time

 

As the marijuana industry continues to expand its reach, more individuals may contemplate the use of marijuana as a medicine. Data shows that as many as 35% of primary care patients report medical use of marijuana - most commonly used for pain. This idea has historically been a controversial one due to the lack of extensive evidence and mixed opinions from medical care professionals.

A 2023 study performed by the Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavior Sciences at SUNY Upstate Medical University provided some insight into whether marijuana helps chronic pain by using a cold pressor test (CPT) to measure pain tolerance. CPT tests are performed by submerging a participant's forearm in a tub of ice water for as long as the patient can tolerate before needing to withdraw - or three minutes.

Results published in The American Journal on Addictions, revealed that study participants who used marijuana daily had significantly decreased pain tolerance when compared to study participants who didn't use marijuana (Zhang-James, Wyon, Grapsas & Johnson, 2023). 

Such results suggest that use of daily marijuana may actually worsen chronic pain over time by reducing pain tolerance. Additionally, daily marijuana users may also risk addiction. That's why it is important for primary care providers and patients to research all options and consider overall risks before recommending or using medical marijuana for pain management.

Know the effects, risks, and side effects of Marijuana Use and take a quick Marijuana IQ quiz at:

https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/learn/marijuana/risks

P.A.U.S.E. – A Helpful Strategy to Calm Anxiety

 

Panic Attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear, that may be accompanied by a racing heart or dizziness, which can happen to anyone. They may be triggered by stress and they're becoming more prevalent in the general population. Studies suggest that nearly 1-in-10 adults may experience a panic attack at some point in their lifetime. Panic attacks can also begin earlier in life, including in youth between the ages of 15 and 25.

In 2024, the American Psychiatric Association's annual poll showed that 43% of adults said they feel more anxious than in previous years - noting that stress (53%) and sleep (40%) had the biggest impact on their mental health. Younger adults age 18-34 years old were more likely than adults to say that social connection had the biggest impact on their mental health.

When you find yourself worrying or feeling stressed, remember to practice calming breathing exercises. It helps to have a trusted "go to" strategy to focus on.

P.A.U.S.E. is a very helpful technique to use for calming when you notice yourself becoming anxious. Steps that focus on prompts such as PAUSE-ACTVITY-UNDERSTAND-SOOTHE-EXHALE encourage us to engage in positive actions to manage and calm anxiety instead of getting caught up in vicious cycles of worry.

Find out more at National Institute of Mental Health

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms 

Happy Mother’s Day to the Special Women in Our Lives

 

From moms to grandmas, stepmoms, foster moms, aunts...and all of the amazing women who we look to as mother figures - Happy Mother's Day! 💗

At InnerAct Alliance, we believe prevention begins at home. Strong parental guidance helps to model positive behavior, offer emotional support, and establish a foundation of safety and trust. This belief is backed by statistics that show children who feel supported and connected to a trusted adult are far more likely to make healthy decisions. 🌷

Mothers and Mother Figures help to nurture, guide, and shape the way youth view themselves. Through this love and support, Moms have the power to positively influence the choices their children make each and every day. 👪

On this Mother's Day Weekend, let's all take a moment to cherish, thank, and celebrate the super women who care for children - they make all the difference in the world in so many ways! 💕

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #30: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Madeline Aranda & Trace Braun

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #30 Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates - Madeline Aranda & Trace Braun

UthMpact hosted its graduation ceremony for high school student leaders who successfully completed the 2025-2026 UthMpact Leadership Class XV program on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Magnolia Building in Lakeland. 

This Leadership program is spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance & its coalition partners StandUP Polk and UthMpact, along with business and community partners, to assist teens in development crucial leadership skills. Nearly 550 students representing every high school in the county have been enriched by being a member of the UthMpact Leadership Program since its inception.

Today, we celebrate two outstanding graduates:

🎓 Madeline Aranda
University of Central Florida
Majoring in Advertising

🎓 Trace Braun
University of Miami
Majoring in Marketing

About UthMpact Leadership - UthMpact is a coalition of high school teen leaders who are committed to educating themselves and their peers about key substance abuse prevention messages. Participants have an opportunity to take part in a training retreat and travel throughout the community on monthly Leadership Days to meet with community and business leaders and experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. 

The group's most prominent projects are Project Prom & Prom HOCO, providing formal wear and accessories to high school students and educating about risky behaviors during prom, graduation, and homecoming, as well as the UthMpact Facts social norms program sharing the positives in Polk Youth culture - that most teens are choosing NOT to use substances.

Congratulations, Madeline and Trace! We are so proud of your accomplishments and can't wait to see the incredible things you will achieve in the future!

Follow UthMpact on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk?  

Contact for Information: 
Samantha Barwig
(863) 802-0777

Support Youth Programs
https://www.inneractalliance.org/donations.html

Text IAA to 26989

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #UthMpact #ClassOf2026 #GraduatingSeniors #FutureLeaders #ProudMoment #PolkCounty #YouthLeadership

Orphines: New Class of Emerging Deadly Opioids

 

Most of us have heard about fentanyl, but now there are new synthetic opioids surfacing in street drugs across the U.S. that make fentanyl look weak. The New York Times reports that this fast-growing group, known as orphine analogues or simply "orphines," are already taking fentanyl's place in the illegal drug supply. 

Researchers say orphines can be 10x more powerful than fentanyl and what's worse is that they don't show up in standard toxicology screens or on fentanyl testing strips.

What Are Orphines? - this experimental opioid class of drugs was first developed in the 1960s. Scientists were looking for powerful pain-relieving and anesthesia drugs for medical use. When it became clear that this drug was very dangerous, it was taken off the market. Now, it has popped up again in illicit drug supplies in at least 14 states across the nation. Some of the more common orphines being identified include: cychlorphine, brorphine, spirochlorphine, and chlorphine.

Why Are Orphines Spreading Again? - it is speculated that orphines have emerged again because drug traffickers have been searching for new products to sell to avoid strict drug crackdowns. In July 2025, the Chinese government placed nitazine analogues, another group of powerful lab-made opioids, under tighter control. After that, nitazines showed up less often while orphines increased in supply. This constant change makes the drug supply even more dangerous and unpredictable.

What Should We Be Looking For? - the most common orphine version - cychlorphine - is turning up in fake pills and powders often mixed into other drugs without the users' knowledge. Mixing drugs, including alcohol, greatly increases the risk of overdose. Note: Cychlorphine may be 50-200 times stronger than heroin. Naloxone can still work, but multiple doses may be needed.

Why Are Orphines So Dangerous? - orphines are very strong. A small amount can stop breathing. Many people often don't know they are taking them because they appear in fake pills and mixed into other drugs. Because these drugs are new, testing is often behind what is already out there on the street in unknown strengths.

Steps To Take Right Now - stay informed because the drug supply and landscape can change fast. Talk early and often to your kids - focus on safety, not judgment. Support mental health and encourage making smart choices to avoid drug use. Remind kids that the substances out there are stronger, newer, and more unpredictable than ever before.

The Partnership to End Addiction is a solid resource for parents and individuals to stay connected. 

👉https://drugfree.org/article/orphines-new-opioids-stronger-than-fentanyl-what-parents-should-know/

👉Link to New York Times article: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/health/what-are-orphines.html

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #29: An Invitation to Lead and Invest in the Future

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #29: An Invitation to Lead and Invest in the Future

As InnerAct Alliance celebrates its 40th Anniversary, this milestone provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the organization's impact and to invite others to be part of its future.

A Message from Ryan Rogers, IAA Board President: I have had the privilege of serving InnerAct Alliance in several leadership roles over the years, including Treasurer, Co-President, and currently as President. Each role has reinforced my belief in both the mission and the people who bring it to life every day. MIDFLORIDA Credit Union has a long-standing history of supporting InnerAct Alliance, and I am proud to be part of that legacy. As SVPII/Regional Marketing Manager at MIDFLORIDA, we greatly value the work that InnerAct Alliance does in the community and schools. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing in students and equipping them with the skills, confidence, and decision-making tools they need to succeed beyond the classroom.

The InnerAct Alliance Difference - one of the most rewarding aspects of my involvement has been engaging directly with students. From hosting Business Day visits and observing students run the Project Prom Store, to sharing meals during the annual Business Etiquette Dinner, I have seen firsthand how InnerAct Alliance prepares students for real-world environments. These experiences demonstrate the profound impact that consistent mentorship, leadership development, and hands-on learning can have on young people.

The strength of InnerAct Alliance is a direct result of the dedicated teachers, staff, board members, and community leaders who have given their time and talents over the past 40 years.

Join Us in Shaping the Future - as we look ahead to the next 40 years, InnerAct Alliance continues to need engaged leaders and committed supporters. If you are an individual, business owner, or business partner looking for a board opportunity that is active, meaning, and impactful, I encourage you to consider InnerAct Alliance.

This is not a passive board role - it is a chance to truly make a difference by donating your time, sharing your talent, and investing your treasure in an organization that changes lives.

Interested in Getting Involved?

If you want to learn more about board service, corporate partnerships, or donor involvement, please reach out to Ryan Rogers, Board President, or Angie Ellison, Executive Director, at (863) 802-0777. We would welcome the opportunity to share more about InnerAct Alliance and how you can be part of shaping its future!

You Can Also Help by Donating!

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

Text IAA to 26989

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #BoardLeadership #CommunityInvolvement #MIDFLORIA #MakeADifference #TimeTalentTreasure #PolkCounty #JoinOurBoard #LeadershipOpportunity