Thank You from InnerAct Alliance!

InnerAct Alliance and our Coalition partners
StandUP Polk and UthMpact
would like to thank our generous supporters and
wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Happy Holidays from UthMpact

Happy Holidays from UthMpact

UthMpact Teens enjoyed a fun night participating in the 2016 “Miracle on Main Street” Lakeland Christmas Parade, on Thursday, December 1^st in downtown Lakeland. The parade is organized and sponsored by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland.

Special thanks to Scott’s Paint for donating the tropical teal color paint for the UthMpact float and to Glen and Lecinda Steele, who generously donated their time to help with last minute touch-ups and using their truck to pull the festive float. A great time was had by all!

7th Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit a Success!

7th Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit a Success!

On Monday, October 17^th, StandUP Polk hosted the “Own the Upside” Prevention Summit at Lake Eva Banquet Hall in Haines City. Over 150 participants represented many organizations across Polk County including School Resource Officers, School Board employees, Prevention Specialists, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Professionals, and Guardian ad litems.  It was an enriching learning opportunity for participants to receive current information about our community and its youth culture.

The outstanding line up of speakers included:  Sheriff Grady Judd of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Brian Haas, State Attorney-Elect, Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida; Julia Hermelbracht, Department of Children and Families; Dr Jessica Spencer, Certified Prevention and Addictions Professional in Florida; Paul Doering, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida; Chelsey Clarke, Intelligence Analyst from Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Administration; and Det. Robert Mateo of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Thank You to our amazing partners for their support: Bob Evans Restaurant, City of Haines City, Coca-Cola Refreshments, Communities Talk Stipend, Crispers, Haines City Police Department, Health Department/Tobacco Free First, InnerAct Alliance, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Madden Brand Agency, Stage Coach, TNT Entertainment, and UthMpact.  And special thanks to our StandUP Polk partners, Andrea Hagan co-chair of StandUP Polk and event emcee, as well as event vendors: A Woman’s Choice, Bikers Against Child Abuse, Guardian ad Litem, Healthy Families, Heartland for Children, Integrative Physical Medicine, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, SWAT, Seniors vs. Crime, Tri-County, Tobacco Free Florida, United Way of Central Florida Success by 6, and Winter Haven Hospital.

Thank You to Our Amazing 2016 Red Ribbon Sponsors!

Thank You to Our Amazing
2016 Red Ribbon Sponsors!

Schools Step Up Efforts to Fight Opioid Abuse

Schools Step Up Efforts to Fight Opioid Abuse

More schools in the United States are addressing the growing problem of opioid abuse among students by developing proactive prevention education campaigns.

The Wall Street Journal reports that last year, CVS pharmacists made almost 3,000 presentations in schools about the dangers of misusing prescription painkillers. Some schools are using a substance abuse prevention program aimed at students as young as fourth grade.

Others are offering a texting tool that connects students to a licensed therapist. The tool, called Text a Tip, hides teens’ phone numbers so they can ask questions anonymously. More than 100 school districts in California and Illinois are using the program. “We have had kids text at a party and say, ‘There are kids using around me and I don’t know what to do.’ So, we respond and say, ‘Can you distract yourself, can you leave, can you call a friend or adult to pick you up?’” said Dana Slowinski, who oversees the therapist team. “Because what we find is, in the moment kids are not thinking through their options.”

Substance abuse is the most common risk factor impacting youth and society. The science-based prevention education programs offered by InnerAct Alliance to nearly 15,000 students annually have proven to be effective tools in reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors. InnerAct Alliance has been providing prevention education to youth and adults in the Polk, Hardee and Highlands County communities since 1985. For more information, please call our office at (863) 802-0777.

Source: Join Together the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids  http://www.drugfree.org/news-service/many-schools-try-prevent-opioid-abuse-education-campaigns/