Spring Forward – Set Clocks Ahead 1-Hour This Weekend

 

It's almost "time" to spring forward! Daylight Savings Time begins on the second Sunday in March - which this year falls on Sunday, March 8, at 2am - that's THIS WEEKEND!⏰

Best to set your clocks FORWARD 1 hour before going to sleep on Saturday night so you don't wake up confused the next day! With the start of Daylight Savings Time, we may lose an hour of sleep😴but on the bright side, we gain later sunsets! 🌇

Here in the United States, a few parts of the country do not observe Daylight Savings Time - Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

Personally, it would be great to see Florida join that list. I enjoy Daylight Savings Time with the sun being out longer at the end of the day 🌞- but it's crazy to keep moving backwards and forwards every year. 

Just pick one - Daylight Savings or Standard Time - and keep it that way. Studies show time change increases heart attacks and road collisions and we all feel "off" for a few days every spring and fall. Which side are you on?

Save The Date: Own The Upside Annual Prevention Summit - May 4, 2026

 

40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #11: UthMpact Rocks!

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #11: UthMpact Rocks!

UthMpact is our youth coalition comprised of 40 outstanding student leaders, all working together to create a more positive teen culture in Polk County. One powerful way they accomplish this? Social norming campaigns in schools!

How It Works

Students are asked what percentage of teens in Polk County use alcohol or other drugs. At first, students may guess incorrectly that it's a higher percentage; however, by the end of the campaign, they answer correctly - learning most teens do NOT use drugs. When students know the FACTs, they feel empowered to make healthy choices, stay away from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and support each other to stay drug free.

Check Out These Creative T-Shirt Designs! 

These peer-to-peer campaigns are changing perceptions and saving lives!

Support Pro-Active Messaging from Our UthMpact Teen Leaders

$40 = sponsors a UthMpact student's personality test

$40/month = covers meals for UthMpact Class

$400/month = bus transportation for Leadership Days

$4,000 = brings in a National Motivational Speaker

$40,000/year = provides staff support for UthMpact Leadership program

Donate by

Texting IAA to 26989

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

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #UthMpactRocks #SocialNorms #YouthLeaderships #PeerToPeer #TeenLeaders #PolkCounty #MostTeensDont #PreventionWorks #PositiveChoices

It's Important to Keep Track & Safely Dispose of Medications

 

Truth is...most teens don't get prescription pills from strangers. They get them from the home medicine cabinet. 1-in-4 teens say they've abused prescription drugs. That's why keeping meds locked up safely out of the reach of children, teens, and those who may have addiction issues matters.💊

Our prevention partners at Informed Families are sharing quick steps that can make a real difference.
* Lock them up
* Track what you have
* Safely dispose of meds that you don't need

InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk would like to share when and where citizens can dispose of unneeded or expired human and pet medication. Our county's DEA National Rx Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 10am-2pm at participating Police Department locations.

Be aware💊 Don't Share💊 Lock Your Meds💊

40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #10: Celebrating the Red Ribbon Run

 

40 Years-40 Stories|Story #10: Celebrating the Red Ribbon Run-We've Come a Long Way Baby!

InnerAct Alliance's signature event, the Red Ribbon Run, stemmed from the humble "Just Say No" March of the early days and grew into the first time, first-even one-mile run for youth and adults in Lakeland called the Red Ribbon Classic in October 1992.🎽

Fast Forward to Today

Our agency has been recognized for hosting one of the largest drug prevention awareness campaigns in the state of Florida! The Red Ribbon Run brings together thousands of students, parents, schools, supporters, and volunteers to champion a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Red Ribbon Run marks the culmination of the month-long Red Ribbon Campaign - sharing prevention messages across Polk County and reminding our youth that their choices matter and that their community supports them.🏅

A Generational Tradition!

It's incredible that this awareness event now spans a generation - with parents who ran in the Red Ribbon Classic 34 years ago now bringing their own children to run! What an amazing legacy of prevention!

Here's How You Can Help for the 2026 Red Ribbon Run on Saturday, October 31, 2026

$40 = supports 1 student & Family on race day
$40/month = funds a commercial to promote the event and its mission
$400/month = sponsors timing for the race heats
$4,000 = sponsors event sound & music
$40,000 = transforms the Run into a festival experience

Donate by

Texting IAA to 26989

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

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #RedRibbonRun #GenerationalImpact #PreventionLegacy #PolkCounty #DrugFreeLifestyle #Community Tradition

World Teen Mental Wellness Day - March 2

 

Today is World Teen Mental Health Awareness Day, observed annually on March 2, to raise awareness about unique mental health challenges faced by today's youth and to help de-stigmatize reaching out for support for common issues like anxiety and depression and feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Kids deal with so much these days and it's understandable that many struggle with peer pressure and bullying, both on social media and in-person. Many times, they may not know how to take all of this in. As it builds up, it can begin creating overwhelming stress, anxiety, fear, and depression.🙍

A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 41.5% of teens in America say that they need more emotional support than they are receiving and 93.1% of parents were not aware of this need, believing that their child received adequate support. It is concerning that this study shows an important communication disconnect between generations.

InnerAct Alliance joins our prevention partners at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to remind parents to carefully monitor your teen's mood changes and find time to talk with them about mental health. Pay attention to the little signs that may signal changes in your teen, such as withdrawing from friend groups, spending more time alone in their rooms, becoming significantly more irritable or complaining about headache/stomach aches, wanting to skip school...😟

Having a trusted adult to talk to helps foster mental health development, enhance communication skills, and build confidence. Face-to-face conversations may help relieve some of the pressures they are feeling. Be their safe space and reassure them that it's okay to reach out for help. Let them know you will always be there to listen and support them - an important first step to helping break the stigma.💪

A great resource from SAMHSA to help you get started on talking to your children about mental health is available online at:

 https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/helping-someone/helping-your-child

Kindness Makes A Difference!

 

Always remember that even the smallest acts of kindness can make the world a better place and YOU can make a difference in people's lives simply by being kind and supportive. 😊

Kindness can profoundly impact both the giver and receiver. It has been shown to reduce stress, boost happiness-inducing hormones like oxytocin and dopamine, and strengthen social bonds. Small, consistent acts - like smiling, listening, or volunteering - create a ripple effect that fosters a more empathetic, connected, and resilient society.

Our prevention partners at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) remind us that our kindness, respect, compassion, and care - plus checking in on loved ones - can go a long way for someone who may be struggling.

The best thing you can do for a person who may be struggling with mental health, drug, or alcohol issue is to be there for them and to listen without judgment.💗

Visit SAMHSA to find out more about helping someone

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/helping-someone?