40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #33: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Audra Ezell & Kayla Ezell

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #33: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates - Audra Ezell & Kayla Ezell

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

Today, we celebrate UthMpact Graduates:

🎓 Audra Ezell
University of South Florida
Majoring in Finance

🎓Kayla Ezell
Florida Southern College
Majoring in Criminal Justice

A Family Tradition - over the past 15 years, UthMpact has been fortunate to have many siblings participate in our unique Leadership Program and pass down the tradition to younger family members. Audra and Kayla exemplify this legacy, both dedicating themselves to leadership development and substance abuse prevention together!

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

Congratulations, Audra and Kayla! Your sisterhood and shared dedication to leadership have made a lasting impact on our community. We can't wait to see all you'll accomplish!

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

*More Info: Contact Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777

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

*Text IAA to 26989

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

Tips to Support Mental Health Every Day

 

In today's always-connected world, we walk a fine line between being "connected" or "consumed" by our interactions with technology. While the benefits of technology can offer connection, support, or even healing, it can also contribute to stress, comparison, misinformation, and unhealthy habits if it is not used mindfully.

During Mental Health Month this May, InnerAct Alliance joins our local community partners at Peace River along with national partners in mental health, to encourage healthy digital habits. This year's theme, "Wired for Wellness: Navigating Media, Gaming, & Social Connection," highlights how we can build resilience, set healthy boundaries, and use technology in ways that support, not harm, our mental health with some of the following tips:

*Pause Before You Scroll - notice how content makes you feel. If it increases stress, anxiety, or comparion  take a break

*Set Simple Boundaries - create "no phone" time, such as during meals or before bed, to give your mind time to recharge

*Don't Believe Everything You See - algorithms feed you more of what you watch. Online content can reinforce fears or lead to self-diagnosis. Seek trusted sources when it comes to your health.

*Use Technology Intentionally - ask yourself, "why am I opening this app?" Connection and purpose > mindless scrolling

*Gaming Can Be Positive - video games can help reduce stress and build connection but watch for overuse, sleep loss, or withdrawal from daily life. It's important to keep a healthy balance

*Protect Your Peace Online - unfollow, mute, or block accounts that negatively impact your mental health

Support is a Phone Call Away at Peace River Center

24-Hour Emotional Support & Crisis Line

(863) 519-3744

Text "TALK" to (863) 204-3443

Ways for Parents to Set Boundaries That Teens Will Respect

 

Parenting a teen today is not easy - but then, neither is being a teen! During adolescence, part of a teen's job is to test boundaries and push for parents to expand them. It's more important than ever for parents and caregivers to set safe and consistent boundaries with their children. It provides a foundation of stability that also helps teens control the rate at which they are changing - giving clear, safe borders to push against.

So, how can we set boundaries for our teens without creating a power struggle? Where can we learn about proven strategies parents can use to set healthy limits, establish boundaries, and create trusting relationships? 

InnerAct Alliance and our prevention partners at the Partnership to End Addiction can help with these helpful suggestions:

Create Boundaries Together - teens are much more likely to follow rules and limits that they help to create, so why not involve them in the discussion from the start. Be clear that the goal of the boundaries is to protect their health and safety, not to control them.

Include Consequences - let your teen help determine consequences for violating boundaries. Keep in mind questions like - are the consequences clear? Can you enforce them? Is it time-limited and related to the teen's action? Make sure you're both on the same page by reviewing each limit and stating the consequence out loud together. You may even want to put the details in writing.

Enforce Limits & Acknowledge Success - all teens make mistakes, that's how they learn. And when your teen does, it's normal to be upset - but avoid making empty threats. Only enforce the consequences you talked about, no surprises. When things go well, be sure to let them know - everyone likes a pat on the back, a word of thanks, or a compliment.

Monitor Behavior - by staying in-the-know about your child's daily routines and who they spend time with, you're taking an important step in preventing substance use. It helps to explain to your kids that knowing their daily activities and whereabouts isn't about control, but about ensuring their safety and staying involved.

Following the Rules of Monitoring

*Aim for open, honest conversation. Talking regularly is the best way to know what they're up to and when to be concerned.

*Get to know your teen's friends - online and off. Make your home a safe space for them to hang out.

*Become familiar with the apps, social media, and other technology your teen is using.

*Know how much money your child has and how that money is spent.

*Be adaptable and allow for increasing independence as teens show more responsibility & safe decision-making.

Free Confidential Information & Support Available

https://drugfree.org/get-support/

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #32: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Yamil Cordova & Abbi Dicks

 

40 Years-40 Stories| Story #32: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates - Yamil Cordova and Abbi Dicks

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:

🎓Yamil Cordova
Yami will be hitchhiking into the Himalyas to find a Tibetan monastery and be trained in their ways. He shared, "I'll come back eventually with something to pass on to my kids." 

🎓 Abbi Dicks
University of Alabama
Majoring in Nursing

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 crucial leadership skills while educating their peers about substance abuse prevention through projects like Project Prom, Project HOCO, and the UthMpact Facts social norms campaigns.

Congratulations, Yamil & Abbi! Your unique paths and dedication to leadership have made a lasting impression on our community. We can't wait to see all you'll accomplish! 💪

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

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

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

*Text IAA to 26989

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #UthMpact #ClassOf 2026 #GraduatingSeniors #FutureLeaders #ProudMoment #PolkCounty #YouthLeadership

“Tobacco Free” Nicotine Product Fallacy

 

Be vigilant because the substance use product market is always changing. The industry promotes tobacco products that are being sold with "tobacco-free" claims. The claims are used to describe either that the products are made with nicotine that is created in a lab (synthetic nicotine) - or that the products contains no tobacco leaf. A recent article on TruthInitiative.org shares the truth about the so-called tobacco-free products - ALL CONTAIN NICOTINE.

"Tobacco-Free" Claims Cause Confusion - young adults may incorrectly interpret the claim "tobacco-free" to believe that it means nicotine is not present in these products. Nicotine products marketed as "tobacco-free" could also create confusion about whether use violates tobacco-free policies in schools, workplaces, and other locations. ALL products containing nicotine should be considered tobacco products and be treated as such in schools and workplaces.

"Tobacco-Free" Claims May Increase Appeal - studies have found that when teens view advertising that claims to promote "tobacco-free" products, these ads tend to reduce perception of harm. In fact, it may actually increase intention to use the products compared to product sales without the claim. A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2022 reported that flavored non-tobacco oral nicotine products, such as gum, lozenges, and gummies, were the second most prevalent nicotine products used among adolescents after e-cigarettes.

"Tobacco-Free" Nicotine Fallacy - if claims about "tobacco-free" nicotine products sound too good to be true, they probably are. Nicotine in any form is an addictive chemical. 

Stay Safe and Stay Away! 

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