Holidays Are a Great Time to Talk to Your Kids!

Holidays Are a Great Time to Talk to Your Kids!

Alcohol is a part of many holiday traditions as folks enjoy a festive cocktail or toast in the New Year with friends and family. It’s fine for adults who are drinking responsibly, but it is important to remember that children are careful observers of adult behavior. With this in mind, the holidays are a great time to talk with your children about drinking alcohol.

You want your children to be well-informed and that means knowing the risk of drinking alcohol long before they are tempted or faced with peer pressure. Tell them about the dangerous effects of alcohol on their developing brain. Explain that the teen brain is still growing and changing until about the age of 24. Alcohol can cause permanent damage during this crucial developmental period. Repeated exposure to alcohol during adolescence can have long term negative effects on the brain, especially for mood and judgement. It could critically affect teens’ ability to perform tasks, such as driving, doing math, and competing in sports.  

Always remember that, as a parent, YOU play a major role in shaping your kids’ attitudes towards alcohol. Be firm that you don’t want your children drinking AT ALL!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from UthMpact

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 

from UthMpact

UthMpact participated in the 37th Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 7th. To celebrate the theme "A Night at the North Pole", UthMpact decorated their float with a candy cane twist. Over 40,000 spectators cheered as UthMpact showcased their social norms facts and the importance of living a sober life.

Our UthMpact team members owe a huge Thank You to Glenn and Lecinda Steele, special friends who donated their time and trailer to make the UthMpact float a success.

Fall 2017 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Event Successfully Nets 1,558 lbs. of Medications

                     Fall 2017 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Event 

Successfully Nets 1,558 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 Saturday, October 28, 2017 for Polk County residents to turn in expired or unwanted human and pet medication.

An estimated 1,558 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. The 8 drop-off sites that participated in the Fall Medication Take Back included Auburndale Police Department, Bartow Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Hamilton Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department.

The latest event brings the total for collections held in Polk County to 13,558 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals dating back to 2010.

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s six permanent drop sites, funded by Givewell Community Foundation in Lakeland, 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.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 28, 2017

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY
Saturday, October 28, 2017

StandUP Polk, local law enforcement agencies, and Polk County Waste & Recycling, are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, for citizens to dispose of all unwanted, unneeded, and expired medications in a safe manner.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medication. Many Americans may not be aware that medicines in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Studies show that many are obtained from the home medicine cabinet of family and friends. In addition, many people do not know how to properly dispose of unused medicine.

Our community’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will include the following locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications, including over the counter medications, vitamins, and other medication in liquid and solid form, for safe and proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag.  Drop-off locations from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL
Bartow Police Department – 450 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL
Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 N. Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL
Lake Hamilton Police Department – 100 Smith Avenue, Lake Hamilton, FL
Lake Wales Police Department - 133 E. Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, FL
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL
Winter Haven Police Department – 125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven, FL

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop sites at the Police Department locations in: Auburndale (weekdays 8-5); Haines City (weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (weekdays 8-5).  To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.  

An estimated 2,396 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected at the Spring Take Back event on April 29, 2017. The total for medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in over 12,000 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration. For more information on the local Prescription Drug Take-Back event, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

REGISTER NOW for the 2017 RED RIBBON HALF MARATHON, 5K & KIDS RUN Saturday, November 11th

REGISTER NOW for the
2017 RED RIBBON HALF MARATHON, 5K and KIDS RUN

Saturday, November 11

Our community’s Red Ribbon tradition continues Saturday, November 11, 2017 with InnerAct Alliance’s Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Fun Run, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., and Kids Run Sponsor, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, in support of bullying and substance abuse prevention. It’s a fun Family Weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon or 5K, and K-8 students can participate in the Kids Fun Run. Registration is encouraged at www.RedRibbonHalf.com. Start time for the Half Marathon is 6:30 a.m., and the 5K begins at 7:00 a.m. Check-in will begin at 5:30 a.m. for the Half Marathon and 6:30 a.m. for the 5K.

A Kids Fun Run for K-8 students begins at 8:00 a.m., with check-in at 7:00 a.m. at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. The Fun Run is FREE for those who pre-register before November 1^st ($5 fee after 11/1/17) and includes a commemorative Run t-shirt and free refreshments. The Kids Run will start and finish at Lake Mirror Promenade, 121 S. Lake Avenue. Awards will be given for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place runners in gender categories, and to the top 3 elementary schools and top middle school with the largest percentage of participating students, based on school census. The private school with the highest percentage of participation will also receive a trophy.

MORE FUN! You can honor a Veteran by nominating them for a FREE Run Registration when you register to run in the Half Marathon or 5K. Companies can compete in the Corporate Challenge to win a Traveling Trophy. The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is presenting THE BIG EVENT: A Family Celebration of Lakeland, starting at 4:00 pm on November 11^th at the historic Lake Mirror Promenade. The BIG EVENT will feature a Salute to Veterans, live music, food, a kids’ fun zone, Business Expo, and more!

“The Annual Red Ribbon Run tradition is to promote healthy family living, which reduces the likelihood of substance abuse, bullying, violence, and other risky behaviors,” said InnerAct Alliance’s Executive Director, Angie Ellison. “Please join us in honoring our Veterans on November 11^th by sponsoring, running, or volunteering at www.redribbonhalf.com or on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries.”

September 14, 2017 – UthMpact Reschedules 2017 Project Hoco Shopping Days on Saturdays September 23, 30 and October 7

UthMpact Reschedules 2017 Project Hoco Shopping Days
Saturdays, September 23 & 30 and October 7

Polk County, FL – In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, UthMpact has decided to reschedule its Project Hoco Student Shopping Days to provide FREE formal wear to deserving high school students who pledge to make smart, healthy, and safe decisions on the night of homecoming.

Student Shopping Days for Project Hoco will now be held on Saturdays September 23, September 30, and October 7, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 2108 East Edgewood Drive, in Lakeland. Students with a Polk County School ID can sign a Project Hoco Pledge to celebrate drug-free and receive their dresses and suits for FREE!

Community members are also asked to support this effort by donating gently used dresses, shoes, men’s suits, ties, and other accessories. Formal wear donations may be dropped off on the shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office on weekdays from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

UthMpact’s goal is promote a fun and safe Homecoming night. For more information, please contact Samantha Barwig, UthMpact Coordinator, at (863) 802-0777.

UthMpact Coordinates 2017 Project Hoco Shopping Days Saturdays, September 16 & 30 and October 7

UthMpact Coordinates 2017 Project Hoco Shopping Days
Saturdays, September 16 & 30 and October 7

Polk County, FL – With Fall football games in full swing that means it’s almost Homecoming! For the past several years, teen leaders from UthMpact have successfully coordinated Project Prom to provide formal wear to deserving high school students. UthMpact is proud to present the third season of Project Hoco to offer FREE dresses and suits to teens who pledge to make smart, healthy, and safe decisions on the night of homecoming.

Student Shopping Days for Project Hoco will be held on Saturdays September 16, September 30, and October 7, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 2108 East Edgewood Drive, in Lakeland. Students with a Polk County School ID can sign a Project Hoco Pledge to celebrate drug-free and receive their dresses and suits for FREE!

Community members are also asked to support this effort by donating gently used dresses, shoes, men’s suits, ties, and other accessories. Formal wear donations may be dropped off on the shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office on weekdays from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

UthMpact’s goal is promote a fun and safe Homecoming night. For more information, please contact Samantha Barwig, UthMpact Coordinator, at (863) 802-0777.

Congratulations to 2017-2018 UthMpact Leadership Class VII

Congratulations to 2017-2018 UthMpact Leadership Class VII

Students from Polk County high schools have been nominated by school principals and community members to participate in the 2017-2018 UthMpact Leadership Class VII. This unique program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk, UthMpact, business and community partners, helps teens develop crucial leadership skills. 

The 40 new Leadership Class members will attend a DiSC Profile Training, Leadership Retreat, and Etiquette Dinner this summer. Beginning in September, the youth leaders will travel throughout the county once a month to experience the inner workings of local business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. The teens will meet with influential leaders to discuss challenges faced in the community and suggest proactive solutions. 

Makenna Adamson from McKeel Academy High School

Rocky Alejandro from Haines City High School

Jack Aranda from George Jenkins High School

Mackenzie Aranda from Harrison School for the Arts

Josie Blum from Lake Wales High School

Darek Brock from Mulberry High School

Kaitlyn Brown from Lakeland High School

Kasandra Correa from Haines City High IB

Alexander Cortez from Haines City High School

Lane Edelson from Bartow IB

Kelsey Elmhorst from McKeel Academy High School

Jeremiah Feddeler from Lakeland High School

William Garcia from All Saints Academy

Chayil Garnett from Lake Wales High School

Soteria Garnett from Lake Wales High School

Cameron Glenn from Central Florida Aerospace

Annabella Griggs from Discovery High School

Chloe Heminger from Winter Haven High School

Peter Hussey from Polk Collegiate

Shanaya Jaitly from Bartow IB                      

Willie Knighton from Lake Wales High School

Megan Kobunski from Haines City High School

Craig Massey from Summerlin Academy

Emma Moses from Harrison School for the Arts

Cole Mount from Summerlin Academy

Trinity Myers from Kathleen High School

Julia Norman from Lakeland High School

Gabriela Olivera from Lakeland High School

Joey Penas from Bartow IB

Megan Pieske from Harrison School for the Arts

Trent Poquette from Discovery High School

Angel Rivera-Quinones from Haines City High School

Monica Rodriguez from Central Florida Aerospace 

Olivia Schneider from Haines City High IB

Jackie Scott from Lake Gibson High School

Donnia Skipper from Lake Region High School

Isabella Wallace from Summerlin Academy

Wyatt Wilkinson from Winter Haven High School

Bailey Williams from Lake Gibson Middle School 

Joshua Wingo from Polk Collegiate

REGISTER NOW for the 2017 RED RIBBON HALF MARATHON, 5K & KIDS RUN Saturday, November 11th

 REGISTER NOW for the
2017 RED RIBBON HALF MARATHON, 5K and KIDS RUN

Saturday, November 11

Join us as we honor our brave Veterans at the Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Fun Run on Saturday, November 11, 2017 around the picturesque Lake Mirror and Lakeland’s beautiful downtown and lake to lake area! It’s a fun family event for adults to compete in the Half Marathon or 5K and K-8 students to participate in the Kids Fun Run.

Start Time
  6:30 am for Half Marathon
  7:00 am for 5K
8 am for Kids Fun Run

Lake Mirror Promenade at 121 S. Lake Avenue, Lakeland 

Register Today at www.RedRibbonHalf.com

  Our community’s Red Ribbon tradition continues with Polk County’s Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Fun Run on Saturday, November 11, 2017 in support of bullying and substance abuse prevention. The Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Fun Run, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., InnerAct Alliance, and partner MidFlorida Credit Union, is a Family Event where adults can compete in the Half Marathon or 5K, and K-8 students can participate in the Kids Fun Run. Early registration is encouraged at www.RedRibbonHalf.com.

The Kids Fun Run for K-8 students begins at 8:00 a.m. with check-in at 7:00 a.m. at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. The Fun Run is FREE for those who pre-register before November 1^st ($5 fee after 11/1/17) and includes a commemorative Run t-shirt and free refreshments. The Kids Run will start and finish at Lake Mirror Promenade and follow a route around Lake Mirror. Awards will be given for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place runners in gender categories, and to the top 3 elementary schools and top middle school with the largest percentage of participating students, based on school census. The private school with the highest percentage of participation will also receive a trophy.

CELEBRATNG OUR VETERANS!  In celebration of the Veterans Day Weekend, we are offering an opportunity for all race participants to honor a Veteran by nominating them for a FREE HALF MARATHON or 5K REGISTRATION when you register to Run! Veterans Slots are limited. For registration and event information, please visit www.RedRibbonHalf.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries. We look forward to seeing you November 11.

We are excited to partner with The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce for THE BIG EVENT: A Family Celebration of Lakeland, which begins after the Red Ribbon Run events at 4:00 pm at the historic Lake Mirror Promenade. The BIG EVENT will feature local live music, delicious food, a kids’ fun zone, Business Expo, Makers & Artisans Row, and more! 

Kicking the Habit – Most Effective Smoking Cessation Methods

Kicking the Habit – Most Effective Smoking Cessation Methods

Now six months into 2017, how is your New Year’s Resolution to quit smoking coming along? What methods have you found to be most or least effective? It’s no secret that most smokers become addicted to nicotine, a drug naturally found in tobacco. In fact, more people in the U.S. are addicted to nicotine than to any other drug – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nicotine may be as addictive as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol. Quitting smoking is difficult and often requires several attempts. People who stop smoking often return to smoking because of withdrawal symptoms such as feeling irritable, angry or anxious, having trouble thinking, craving tobacco products, feeling hungrier than usual.

A report released by the CDC in April 2017 and published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease has studied the most popular smoking cessation techniques and methods used by nearly 16,000 adult cigarette smokers in the U.S. over a two-year period from 2014-2016. The study determined that 74.7 percent of survey participants used multiple methods during their most recent quit attempt.

“Giving up cigarettes all at once (63.3 percent) and reducing the number of cigarettes smoked (62 percent) were the most prevalent methods,” said the CDC. The nicotine patch, gum, or other approved Food and Drug Administration (FDA) methods were popular amongst 25.4 percent of respondents. Other quit methods include getting help from a doctor or health professional (15.2 percent), using smoking-cessation medications approved by the FDA (12.2 percent), receiving help from a website (7.1 percent), or a Quit-line (5.4 percent).

E-cigarettes have quickly become the most popular smoking cessation product (35.3 percent). However, e-cigarettes are classified as a tobacco product by the FDA, creating controversy about whether it is a safe, effective smoking cessation tool. “There is no conclusive scientific evidence that e-cigarettes are effective for long-term cessation of cigarette smoking,” the CDC said. “E-cigarettes are not approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation aid. Most smokers who are switching to e-cigarettes or ‘mild’ cigarettes are not switching completely or stopping their cigarette smoking.”

There are local resources available to help you live a tobacco-free life. Florida Department of Health Tobacco Free Florida’s cessation campaign, “Quit Your Way”, offers phone, group, web options, and text support. Free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, lozenges, or gum) are also available. For a list of Tobacco Cessation support group sessions offered in Polk County, please visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/quityourway or call 877-848-6696.

Source: Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) https://www.ncadd.org/blogs/in-the-news/cdc-report-evaluates-effective-smoking-cessation-methods

RED RIBBON FIFTH GRADE RALLIES POSTER, POETRY and ESSAY CONTESTS - WINTER HAVEN AREA WINNERS

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

Polk County, FL – InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of the Red Ribbon Rally for The Facts Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contest for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Winter Haven/Haines City area schools. Contest participants will be recognized during the Red Ribbon Rally tomorrow, Tuesday, May 16, at 10:00 a.m. at the Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven.

The prevention rally focuses on reinforcing substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school. 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).

Winter Haven Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners

Poster Contest
1^st Place $100.00 - Kayra Flores Samuels from Lake Alfred

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Rubi Pena from Pinewood

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Anyla Manuel from Lake Alfred

                                   

Poetry Contest
1^st Place $100.00 - Taylor Remy from Loughman Oaks

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Dejahyria Callaway from Alta Vista

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Alin Contreras-Campos from Auburndale

Essay Contest 
1^st Place $100.00 - Kaiden McGuire from Alta Vista
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Hunter Burns from Lena Vista

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Adielysmar Castro from Elbert

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall - Lake Alfred

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

A similar rally for Lakeland area schools was held last week on May 10, 2017 at The Lakeland Center.

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 Rally, 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 and ESSAY CONTESTS - LAKELAND AREA WINNERS

Lakeland, FL – InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of the Red Ribbon 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 Rallies that take place today, Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 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. 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).

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

Poster Category 
1^st Place $100.00 - Kelliam Santiago-Leon from Dr. NE Roberts             

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Kacy Connell from Purcell 
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Izuarelis Garcia from Berkley  

Poetry Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Serenity Hernandez from Padgett       

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Byron Burton from Dr. NE Roberts                 

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Zackary Breitenbach from Churchwell            

Essay Category 
1^st Place $100.00 - Kya Long from Berkley           

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Katherine Oliver from  Churchwell

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Sasha Lopez from Dr. NE Roberts

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – Berkley Charter

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

Poster Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Jaalyn McBride from Dixieland

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Jasmine Hagan from Cleveland Court               

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Giovanni Lopez Garcia from Jesse Keen

Poetry Category
1st Place $100.00 - Sarah Wright from McKeel Academy Central

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Pranav Gunjala from Lincoln Academy                            

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Kaylienne Duran from North Lakeland

Essay Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Kiara Vargas from St. Anthony           

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Kendell Anthony Joseph from South McKeel

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Melanie Colbert-Cortright from St. Paul

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 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 next week on May 16 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 2017 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Event Successfully Nets 2,396 lbs. of Medications

Spring 2017 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Event 

Successfully Nets 2,396 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 Saturday, April 29, 2017 for Polk County citizens to turn in expired or unwanted human and pet medication.

An estimated 2,396 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. The 8 drop-off sites that participated in the Spring Medication Take Back included Auburndale Police Department, Bartow Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Hamilton Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department.

The latest event brings the total for collections held in Polk County to over 12,000 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.

Congratulations to Polk County Teacher of the Year Lois Horn-Diaz

Congratulations to Polk County Teacher of the Year
Lois Horn-Diaz

InnerAct Alliance congratulates our long-time friend and supporter, Mrs. Lois Horn-Diaz, an outstanding educator at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School in Lakeland who was recently named Polk County Teacher of the Year. We appreciate the vital role she plays in improving the quality of life for students and families in Polk County through her daily teaching duties and activities.

For many years, Lois volunteered her time and talents to perform original songs to relay the prevention message to children at Red Ribbon Rallies for over 6,000 fifth grade students each spring, as well as at Red Ribbon Campaign kick-off events at elementary schools in the fall. She has an amazing ability to deliver a powerful message in a fun way that brings the whole community together in support of the Red Ribbon message to “Stay away from drugs and say YES to healthy activities.” Thanks, Lois, for all you do!

Congratulations to UthMpact Class VI Graduates!

Congratulations to UthMpact Class VI Graduates!

On Wednesday evening, April 5, 2017, UthMpact will celebrate graduation for its Class VI student leaders who successfully completed the 2016-2017 UthMpact Leadership Program. We are extremely proud that students representing every high school in the county have been enriched by this program in its six years in existence.

The UthMpact Leadership Program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk Coalition, UthMpact Coalition, along with key business partners, is designed to help teens develop crucial leadership skills and entails a two-day summer retreat, six Leadership Days spent traveling throughout the community experiencing the inner workings of local government, healthcare, education, business, volunteerism, and law enforcement, as well as participation in dozens of events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The group’s most prominent project has been its social-norms program impacting students in area high schools with important messages about bullying, distracted driving, tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and prescription drugs.

Congratulations to our UthMpact Class VI Graduates: Emily Alexander (Lakeland Senior High School), Veronica Aviles (Fort Meade Middle/High School), Jacob Barnett (All Saints Academy), Ava Carter (Harrison School for the Arts), Caroline Carter (Harrison School for the Arts), Adelaide Christian (Lakeland Senior High School), Katherine Cossin (George Jenkins High School), Elizabeth Cribb (IB at Bartow High School), Ashria Daskundu (McKeel School of Technology), Brooke Drawdy (Lakeland Senior High School), Coryell Dreyer (Harrison School for the Arts), Jayla Fairley (All Saints Academy), Jack Garcia (All Saints Academy), Athena Hill (Summerlin Academy), James Hunter (IB at Bartow High School), Hannah Hussey (Victory Christian Academy), Guriel Kim (Bartow Senior High School), Omari Jackson (Lake Wales High School), Riley Jarrell (Lakeland Christian School), Nickalaus Kramer (Ridge Community High School), Tanner Ledford (Harrison School for the Arts), Luke Lewis (Lakeland Senior High School), Mary Claire Madden (Lakeland Senior High School), Robert Madden (Lakeland Senior High School), Madeline Manzi (McKeel School of Technology), Yereli Mejia (IB at Haines City High School), Kacie Parrow (Victory Christian Academy), Hunter Pomeroy (Kathleen Senior High School), Erica Revelo (Lake Wales High School), Demetrius Robinson (Haines City High School), Eve Royal (Harrison School for the Arts), Elaina Salerno (Lake Gibson High School), Jose Santiago-Mora (Bartow Senior High School), Tison Savage (Harrison School for the Arts), Garrett Steele (Tenoroc High School), Theodore Steelman (All Saints Academy), Alejandra Tena (IB at Haines City High School), Bailey Timmons (Victory Christian Academy), Hailey Tomlin (George Jenkins High School), Rebecca Turner (McKeel School of Technology), Jack Twgford (Winter Haven High School), Madelyn Walsh (Harrison School for the Arts), Chase Walters (Lakeland Christian School), Mariah Wiggs (Lake Gibson High School), and Marcus Wright Jr. (Summerlin Academy).