“Our Community Convenes” Thursday, May 26, 2016

Prevent Harm. Promote Health.

Polk County, FL – StandUP Polk is proud to be hosting “Our Community Convenes”, an event to share important data to help our community be safer and better informed, on Thursday, May 26, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the new Polk State Center for Safety Auditorium, 1251 Jim Keene Boulevard, in Winter Haven.

We invite the public to be part of Polk County’s strategic plan for prevention of substance abuse and risky behaviors. Key representatives from the Polk Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, colleges, businesses, and other local organizations, will be on hand to help present local facts and information that will support the decisions made in prevention for the coming years.

StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse.

For more information, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777 or by email to: standuppolk@inneractalliance.org

RED RIBBON FIFTH GRADE RALLIES POSTER, POETRY & ESSAY CONTESTS – WINTER HAVEN AREA WINNERS

RED RIBBON FIFTH GRADE RALLIES 

POSTER, POETRY and ESSAY CONTESTS – WINTER HAVEN AREA WINNERS 

Polk County, FL – InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of its Fifth Grade Rally for The Facts Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contest for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Winter Haven/Haines City area schools. Contest participants were recognized during the Red Ribbon Rally on Thursday morning, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. at Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven.

The prevention rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Students were challenged to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate how they live their lives drug free and show the truth about how most young people do not use drugs or alcohol. Overall winners in each category were awarded cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place).

Winter Haven Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners

Poster Contest
1^st Place $100.00 - Kariann Martinez from Loughman Oaks

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Glenisse Bruno Vazquez from Loughman Oaks 

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Andrew Tysarczyk from Davenport School of the Arts

                                   

Poetry Contest
1^st Place $100.00 - Jaida Graham from Dundee Ridge Middle Academy

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Alison Bergeron from Auburndale      

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Aidan Copeland from Lena Vista

Essay Contest
1^st Place $100.00 - Kaylee Stoudemire from Elbert
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Meaghan Knowles from Lake Alfred  

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Ciara Folk from Davenport School of the Arts

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – Berkley

Guest speaker for the Rallies is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America encouraging students to do their best in all of their endeavors. Grady is the author of “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and “Teen Power and Beyond.”

InnerAct Alliance is proud to have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, teen-driven social marketing, and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others with an important substance abuse prevention message.

For further information on the Fifth Grade Rallies, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.  

RED RIBBON FIFTH GRADE RALLIES POSTER, POETRY & ESSAY CONTESTS - LAKELAND AREA WINNERS

 RED RIBBON FIFTH GRADE RALLIES
POSTER, POETRY & ESSAY CONTESTS - LAKELAND AREA WINNERS

Lakeland, FL – InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of its Fifth Grade Rally for the Facts Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contest for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Lakeland area schools. Contest participants will be recognized during the Red Ribbon Fifth Grade Rallies, which take place on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at The Lakeland Center.

The prevention rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Students were challenged to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate how they live their lives drug free and show the truth about how most young people do not use drugs or alcohol. Overall winners in each category will be awarded cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place).

Congratulations to Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners

Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners for 9:30 AM RALLY

Poster Category           
1^st Place $100.00 - Naline Pierre from Highlands Grove                

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Ava Wilke from Wendell Watson
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Katie Marie Jarvis from Kathleen

Poetry Category

1^st Place $100.00 - Leah Nipper from Dr. N.E. Roberts
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Julie Hollingsworth from Churchwell

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Taleah Brinson from Crystal Lake

Essay Category

1^st Place $100.00 - Gwendolyn Olson from Wendell Watson

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Madison Fletcher from Padgett

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Ashtyn Hallman from Highlands Grove  

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – Kingsford

Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners for 11:30 AM RALLY

Poster Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Jonathan McCree from McKeel Academy Central

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Alicia Prevost from South McKeel 
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Susannah Braswell from Lincoln Academy

Poetry Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Tanya Pizarro from Southwest

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Alyssa Taylor from St. Paul Lutheran                   

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Kylie Spurlock from Lincoln Academy

Essay Category           
1^st Place $100.00 - Celeste Ramirez from Blake Academy

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Malaisha Jones from Cleveland Court

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Liam Goff from St. Anthony

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – South McKeel

Guest speaker for the Rallies is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America encouraging students to do their best in all of their endeavors. Grady is the author of “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and “Teen Power and Beyond.”

Another rally for Winter Haven and Haines City area schools will be held on May 12 at 10:00 a.m. in the Polk State College Gym. Contest winners for those schools will be announced next week.

InnerAct Alliance is proud to have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, teen-driven social marketing, and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others with an important substance abuse prevention message.

For further information on the Fifth Grade Rallies, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.  

Spring 2016 Prescription Drug Take Back Event Nets 1,908.14 lbs. of Medications

Spring 2016 Prescription Drug Take Back Event 

                                   Nets 1,908.14 lbs. of Medications

Polk County, FL - StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event on April 30, 2016 for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted human and pet medication.

An estimated 1,908.14 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration, exceeding the expected goal of 1,500 pounds. Drop-off sites included Auburndale Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Lake Hamilton Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department.

The latest event brings the total for collections held in Polk County to nearly 8,400 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals dating back to 2010. All medications were safely disposed of via incineration. 

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s six permanent drop sites at the Police Department locations in: Auburndale (2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8-5); Haines City (35400 Hwy 27, weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (190 N. Seminole Avenue, 24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (100 Smith Avenue, weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, 24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, weekdays 8-5).  To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.  

StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse. For more information, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

FIFTH-GRADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN RED RIBBON RALLIES ON MAY 4 & 12, 2016

FIFTH-GRADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN RED RIBBON RALLIES ON MAY 4 & 12, 2016

Polk County, FL – Nearly 6,000 fifth grade students have been invited by InnerAct Alliance to attend Red Ribbon Rallies in May to encourage the choice of a positive lifestyle without the use of drugs. Events will take place on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at The Lakeland Center, and on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven.

The prevention rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school.  The facts show that the majority of young people choose not to use drugs or alcohol.  Instead, they find effective ways to deal with everyday pressures and challenges in their lives without resorting to substance use.

The guest speaker is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in all of their endeavors. Community leaders and law enforcement members will also be on hand to encourage the choice of a positive, healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs.

Fifth grade students have been challenged to participate in the Fifth Grade Rally for The Facts Contest and create original essays, poems, and posters that illustrate how they choose to live their lives drug free and convey the truth about how most young people do not use drugs or alcohol. Contest winners will be recognized during the rallies with cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 awarded to overall first place winners in each contest category.

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors while supporting positive healthy decisions through: Community Awareness and Support; Prevention Education; Economic Impact; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, teen-driven social marketing, and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others with an important substance abuse prevention message.

For further information on the Fifth Grade Rallies, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.