Celebrate Family Day on Monday, September 27, 2010!

Make A Date For Dinner With Your Kids!
Monday, September 27, 2010

Did you know that eating dinner frequently with
your children reduces their risk of substance abuse?

Whether you're cooking a gourmet meal or ordering from your favorite restaurant, what your kids really want at the dinner table is YOU! Research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) consistently finds that the more children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use drugs. Family meals are the perfect time to talk to your kids and to listen to what's on their mind.

InnerAct Alliance is proud to partner with CASA and Crispers to celebrate Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children on Monday, September 27, 2010!

Crispers locations throughout the state are offering a Family Day Meal Special, which includes a FREE KIDS MEAL WITH THE PURCHASE OF AN ADULT MEAL (one child per adult). This offer is good on Monday, September 27, 2010 from 4 PM to 8 PM.

For more information, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.

Prescription Drug Summit & Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off Events

1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit & Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off

presented by InnerAct Alliance and Members of StandUP Polk, Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk

InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, are proud to present the 1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit on Monday, September 20, 2010 at 7:30 AM, at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene in Lakeland, to raise awareness about the alarming trend of abuse of prescription drugs and how it affects Polk County schools, businesses and families. The Keynote Speaker will be Sharon Kelley, MS, PMD, and CEO of Alliance for Global Narcotics Training, who will address attendees from 7:30 - 9:00 AM. Solution-planning group sessions led by Ms. Kelley and local experts in the field will take place from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. The first 100 registrants to RSVP to InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777 will receive free breakfast at 7:00 AM.

StandUP Polk and its partners in The Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk are also planning a second Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off event in conjunction with the DEA's National Take Back Initiative on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for citizens to turn in unused, expired or unwanted Human and Pet Medication for safe and proper disposal. The first countywide medication collection held on March 20, 2010 resulted in an estimated 245.5 lbs. of recovered pharmaceuticals.

Locations for the Pill Drop off are:

Auburndale Police Department - 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL

Florida Department of Transportation - 801 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL (hosted by Bartow PoliceDept.)

Haines City Police Department - 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL

Lake Alfred Police Department - 190 North Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL

Lakeland Police Department - 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL

Winter Haven Police Department - 125 North Lake Silver Drive, NW, Winter Haven, FL

All medications should be secured in a clear, air-tight sealed plastic bag.

With an average of 7 Rx drug-related deaths in Florida each day, the intentional abuse of prescription drugs to alter brain activity is quickly becoming an epidemic! This alarming trend is especially prevalent in teenagers. Over 70% of young people age 12 & older who abuse prescription painkillers get them free from the homes of family or friends. Preventing youth from gaining access to prescription and over-the-counter drugs is one way to prevent and stop this epidemic. Clean out medicine cabinets regularly and properly dispose of any old and unused medication to alleviate the potential danger that can be found within the confines of our homes. Parents also need to talk with their children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, is a group of concerned citizens, community and business leaders working together to take a stand against drugs and bring about positive change for Polk County. All are welcome to join this new initiative and take part in monthly planning sessions. Key support for the Prescription Drug Summit has been provided by: Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group, P.A., Watson Clinic Foundation, Inc., and the Lakeland Police Department.

For information, please call Angie Ellison at InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.

Mark Your Calendar For Red Ribbon Campaign Special Events This Fall!

Bright Red Ribbons signify that it is time for the Red Ribbon Campaign 2010, the national public awareness campaign to raise awareness of substance abuse. Wear a Red Ribbon on your clothing and display a ribbon on the door of your home or business, or on your vehicle, to show support for a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Join us to celebrate InnerAct Alliance's 25th Anniversary of providing prevention services to the community with the following activities:

Monday, September 20 - 1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit - 7:30 AM to 1 PM - InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk, the coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, are proud to present an informative Prescription Drug Summit to raise awareness about the alarming trend of prescription drugs and how it affects Polk County schools, businesses and families. Keynote Speaker, Sharon Kelley, MS, PMD, CEO of Alliance for Global Narcotics Training, will address attendees from 7:30 AM to 9 AM and Planning Breakout Groups will be held from 9 AM to 11 AM, at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland. First 100 registrants to RSVP to InnerAct Alliance at 863/802-0777 receive free breakfast at 7 AM.

Saturday, September 25 - Countywide Purge Your Pills Drop Off - 9 AM to 1 PM - StandUP Polk and its coalition partners are planning a second Purge Your Pills Drop Off event, in conjunction with the DEA's National Take Back Initiative, for citizens to turn in unused, expired or unwanted medication for safe and proper disposal. Drop off locations: Auburndale Police Department (2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL); Florida Department of Transportation (801 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL - hosted by Bartow Police Department); Haines City Police Department (35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL); Lakeland Police Department (219 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, FL ); and Winter Haven Police Department (125 North Lake Silver Drive, Winter Haven, FL). All medication should be secured in a clear, air-tight sealed plastic bag.

Saturday, September 25 - Red Ribbon Distribution - 9 AM to 1 PM - Red satin lapel ribbons will be distributed to the community free of charge in coordination with the Countywide Purge Your Pills Drop Off event at locations listed above.

Monday, September 27 - Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children - Parents, what kids really want at the dinner table is YOU! Eating frequently with your children reduces their risk of substance abuse. InnerAct Alliance is partnering with Crispers locations throughout the state to offer a Family Day Meal Special of a FREE Kids Meal with the Purchase of an Adult Meal (one child per adult) from 4 PM to 8 PM on 9/27/10!

Monday, October 4 - City of Lakeland Proclamation of Red Ribbon Month - 9 AM at City Hall.

Wednesday, October 6 - Polk County Commission Proclamation of Red Ribbon Month - 9 AM.

Tuesday, October 12 - Polk County School Board Proclamation of Red Ribbon Month - 1:30 PM.

Saturday, October 16 - Red Ribbon Safe Kids Walk & Roll - 8 AM to 12 PM - Fun for all ages is planned at the 2nd Annual Red Ribbon Safe Kids Walk & Roll at Lake Region High School, which features a bike rodeo, safety walk, prevention and safety information and more. First 400 K-8th graders to register the morning of the event receive a FREE T-Shirt!

Saturday, November 6 - 19th Annual Red Ribbon Run and Kids Health & Wellness Carnival - Over 1,800 youth in grades K-5 will participate in the popular Red Ribbon Run, the largest youth running event in Polk county, which will be held this year at George Jenkins High School. All ages are welcome to participate. Registration for K-5 students is FREE and pre-registered children will receive a FREE T-SHIRT! Registration fee is $10 for students in grade 6 & above and adults to participate in the Open Run. Registration check-in begins at 7 AM. First race begins at 8 AM. Festivities also include the Kids Health & Wellness Carnival from 9 AM to 1 PM to celebrate the importance of good health. Wristbands will be sold for $5 admission for kids age 3 and up to enjoy interactive attractions, healthy activities, and entertainment. K-5th grade participants will receive a FREE BOOK to take home!

Friday, November 12 - InnerAct Alliance's 25th Anniversary Celebration - 6 PM to 8 PM - Plan to attend a special event to celebrate InnerAct Alliance's 25th Anniversary at the Peggy Brown Building in Lakeland! Additional details will be announced soon or call InnerAct Alliance at 802-0777.