Tomorrow is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

One more quick reminder that tomorrow - Saturday, April 25 - is the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, offering an opportunity for citizens to safely dispose of unneeded pet or human medication. Bring your meds in a clear plastic bag to the participating Drive-Thru Drop-Off locations in Lakeland and Polk County listed below from 10AM to 2PM. 💊 

Why Does This Matter? - Studies show that medications stored in home medicine cabinets is highly susceptible to abuse. Discarding medication by flushing or throwing it in the trash also creates potential health hazards. 

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse. 

What Can We Bring? - Clean out your home medicine cabinet for any unneeded Human and Pet medications including over-the-counter medications, medications in liquid and solid forms, vaping pens, and e-cigarette devices (with batteries removed). 

Together we can keep our community safe
and prevent substance abuse before it starts!

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #26: Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit on May 4, 2026

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #26: Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit on May 4, 2026

For the past 4 decades, InnerAct Alliance has been bringing together prevention professionals to share knowledge and strategies.

Join Us for the Annual Own the Upside Prevention Summit

Monday, May 4
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

W.H. Stuart Center | UF/IFAS Extension Office
1710 U.S. Highway 17 South in Bartow

Who Should Attend

Teachers, school resource officers, administrators, counselors, social workers, prevention specialists, and concerned citizens are invited to come together and share up-to-date information with a realistic view of:

*Current youth culture

*Emerging drug trends

*Social media & connection to risky behaviors
*Prevention strategies that work

Register Now!

Admission - $28.52
includes light breakfast & lunch

BONUS: Double Your Prevention Training!

On the following day, Tuesday, May 5, the Hanley Foundation is offering a FREE in-person Ethics in Prevention training from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, also at the W.H. Stuart Center, suitable for entry-level and experienced prevention practitioners. Seats are limited - Pre-Register at: hanley.info/ethics05

About Own The Upside

Own The Upside was initiated by the Drug Free Coalition partnership of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties and founded on the Positive Community Norms Theory. Data collected annually by the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) reports that most youth do not engage in risky behaviors. Own The Upside believes in supporting youth through proactive prevention programs to reduce, access, identify risky behaviors, change community attitudes towards substance use, and empower young people to make positive choices.

Join us in celebrating the positives and
empowering our community!

More info

Call Angie Ellison at the IAA Office
(863) 802-0777

angie.ellison@inneractalliance.org

 #40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #Prevention Summit #OwnTheUpside #StandUPPolk #ProfessionalDevelopment #PreventionEducation #PolkCounty #YouthCulture #PreventionWorks

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #25: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25

 

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #25: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - April 25, 2026

For 40 years, InnerAct Alliance has been committed to preventing harm and promoting health in our community. One crucial way we do this is by partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement for the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10am to 2pm.

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join the Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for the 29th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday.

Why This Matters

Medicine stored in home cabinets is highly susceptible to abuse. Discarding medication by flushing or throwing it in the trash also creates potential health and safety hazards. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse.

What You Can Bring

*Human and Pet prescription medications
*Over-the-Counter medications
*Medications in liquid and solid form
*Vaping pens & e-cigarette devices (remove batteries)
*Please place medication in a clear, air-tight plastic bag

Drop-Off Locations on Saturday, April 25

*Bartow Police Dept. - 450 N. Broadway Ave.
*Davenport Police Dept. - 16 W. Bay St.
*Haines City Police Dept. - 35400 Highway 27
*Lakeland Police Dept. - 219 N. Massachusetts Ave.
*Lake Alfred Police Dept. - 190 N. Seminole Ave.
*Lake Hamilton Police Dept. - 100 Smith Ave.
*Lake Wales Police Dept. - 133 E. Tillman Ave.
*Winter Haven Police Dept. - 125 N. Lake Silver Dr. NW

Year-Round Drop Sites

Permanents drop sites (solid medications only) available at police department locations in: Auburndale, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lakeland, and Winter Haven.

Our Impact

Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in well over 29,000 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of vis incineration!

Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet & Turn in Unwanted Medication on April 25

Together, we can keep our community safe and prevent substance abuse before it begins!

For More Info, please contact

Angie Ellison @ IAA
(863) 802-0777

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #DrugTakeBackDay #StandUPPolk #DEA #SafeDisposal #PolkCounty #PreventionWorks #April25 #MedicationDisposal

Today is Earth Day – Our Power, Our Planet

 

Earth Day 2026 takes place today - Wednesday, April 22 - the annual celebration to raise awareness and advocate for change on issues that impact our home on Planet Earth! 

This year's theme, "Our Planet, Our Power," is meant to encourage individuals, organizations, and governments to embrace renewable energy resources to create a sustainable future. Earth Day is a popular time for communities to gather together to clean up litter, plant trees, or simply reflect on the beauty of nature. We appreciate our home planet Mother Earth!

InnerAct Alliance and our coalition partners, StandUP Polk and UthMpact, support Earth Day with local efforts to keep our community safe. This Saturday, April 25, we join the DEA and 8 Polk County law enforcement agencies to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, at participating law enforcement agencies listed below. Citizens may turn in unused or expired human or pet medications for safe disposal via supervised incineration. This helps keep medication from being misused or winding up in lakes and streams harming the wildlife and water supply.

Unwanted medication may also be taken to one of the Polk County permanent drop sites funded by GiveWell Community Foundation year-round at police department locations in:

Auburndale (weekdays 8am-5pm)

Haines City (weekdays 8am-5pm)

Lake Alfred (24hrs/7days)

Lake Hamilton (weekdays 8am-5pm)

Lakeland (24hrs/7days)

Winter Haven (weekdays 8am-5pm)

40 Years - 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #24: InnerAct Alliance Appreciates Our Volunteers!

 

 

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance| Story #24: InnerAct Appreciates Our Volunteers!

InnerAct Alliance hosts one of the largest Red Ribbon Campaigns in the state of Florida, highlighted by the Annual Red Ribbon Run. The event brings together 10,000 participants, volunteers, and spectators every October at Lake Mirror in Lakeland.

Volunteers Needed for 2026 Red Ribbon Run

Saturday, October 31, 2026
Lake Mirror Promenade, Lakeland

Success of the Red Ribbon Run depends on over 300 volunteers

* High School students can earn community service hours
* College students, businesses, individuals and organizations welcome
* FREE breakfast, t-shirt, and snacks provided

Volunteer Sign Up: https://www.inneractalliance.org/volunteering.html

Share Your Talents!

Showcase your unique talents in music, dance, or performance as part of the World Tour celebration during the Red Ribbon Run. Contact: Angie Ellison at (863) 802-0777.

Year-Round Volunteer Opportunities Available!

InnerAct Alliance welcomes of all ages to help with programs that impact youth, parents, families, and those in need with a substance abuse prevention and anti-bullying message. 

Call (863) 802-0777 https://www.inneractalliance.org/volunteering.html

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #VolunteerAppreciation
#RedRibbonRun #Volunteer Opportunities #LakeMirror #PolkCounty

40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #23: Evolution of Our Agency’s Prevention Education Mission

 

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #23: Evolution of Our Agency's Prevention Education Mission

Our nonprofit agency began 40 years ago when teacher Kaye McConnell witnessed two students fall ill after taking an accidental overdose on the way to school. She saw a critical need to educate students and parents about substance use risks. Along with concerned citizens, she established PRIDE of Lakeland in the 1980s.

The Evolution

1980s - PRIDE of LAKELAND
Literally passed the hat to collect funds for community awareness and events like the Red Ribbon Campaign and Just Say No Marches in Lakeland.

1990s - Drug Prevention Resource Center
Achieved official Prevention Licensure. State funding supported prevention classes, puppet shows, the Red Ribbon Run, and Fifth Grade Rallies.

2000s - Growth & Expansion
Prevention education grew from 1 teacher in 2 schools to expanding throughout Polk County with Red Ribbon Kickoff Events and law enforcement partnerships.

2009/2010 - InnerAct Alliance is Born
Rebranding brought tremendous expansion opportunities: 10 teachers in 69 schools, StandUP Polk adult and UthMpact youth coalitions formed, Anti-Bullying programs added, and Level II Prevention licensure achieved.

Today
*50,000+ students reached annually
*100 youth in UthMpact Leadership each year
*200+ partners in StandUP Polk coalition
*150,000 citizens reached through social norms campaigns

Please Donate to Support Prevention

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

text IAA to 26989

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #PRIDEofLakeland #DrugPreventionResourceCenter #40YearsStrong #PolkCounty #PreventionEducation

40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #22: Educating & Empowering Polk County’s Youth

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #22: Educating & Empowering Polk County's Youth

Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse occur in all age groups and economic backgrounds. It is an insidious presence in our neighborhoods and schools. Multiple prevention education programs and services have come together under the InnerAct Alliance umbrella to prevent youth, families, neighborhoods, and friends from becoming the next alcohol or drug-related statistic. 

There are 4 Core Strategies
 to Help Youth Win:

Awareness Raising
Science-Based Prevention in Schools
Community-Based Prevention
Coalition Building

Here's a snapshot of our agency's collaborative efforts:

InnerAct Alliance

Formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center and PRIDE of Lakeland, InnerAct Alliance has worked diligently for the past 4 decades to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The agency serves as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk (adult-based) and UthMpact (youth-based) Coalitions for a Drug-Free Polk.

StandUP Polk

StandUP Polk is a group of concerned parents, citizens, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, media, healthcare, businesses, youth-serving agencies, schools, and environmentalists working as the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy using proven evidence-based strategies.

UthMpact

UthMpact is a coalition for teens, by teens, educating and empowering teens to make healthy decisions and take action against alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. Goals include changing community & peer stereotypes about teen drug use through positive community involvement such as Project Prom/Project Homecoming. Students learn valuable advocacy and leadership skills, develop professional relationships, and have created campaigns on anti-tobacco, bullying, marijuana, prescription drugs, distracted driving, and underage drinking prevention. Teens have even created their own podcast to share proactive messaging!

Together we can educate young people
 to learn the facts, think, and act responsibly!

Connect with us

 https://www.inneractalliance.org

Follow us

 
IAA Blog

https://inneractblogtownhallmeeting.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/InnerActAlliance?

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

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #StandUPPolk #UthMpact #YouthEmpowerment #PreventionWorks #CoalitionBuilding #Polk County #DrugFreeCommunity