StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event this past Saturday, October 24th for Polk County residents to turn in expired or unwanted human and pet medication.
Polk County agencies collected an estimated 1,640.6 lbs. of pharmaceuticals that were safely disposed of via incineration. The drop-off sites that participated in the Medication Take Back included Auburndale Police Department, Bartow Police Department, Davenport 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 22,296.6 lbs. 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). Please note: only solids are accepted in permanent drop boxes – no liquids or syringes. Do not dispose of medication in the toilet to avoid harming lakes and ground water.
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.
InnerAct Alliance is proud to
learn that our office building, located at 621 South Florida Avenue, in
Lakeland, will be featured in the Historic Dixieland Neighborhood Association’s
Century Home Project, a new endeavor to commemorate homes in the Dixieland
Historic District that have been built 100 or more years ago.
The origins of this two-story
building, located on the NW corner of South Florida Avenue and W. Palmetto
Street, date back to 1919-1920. It has served as “home base” for InnerAct
Alliance, the nonprofit substance abuse prevention agency formerly known as the
Drug Prevention Resource Center, since 2001. According to the letter of
designation received from Jason Hagerman, secretary of the Dixieland
Neighborhood Association, a solid cast bronze marker will be presented to InnerAct
Alliance to proudly display on the exterior of the property to mark the Century
Homes designation.
“Our board of directors and
staff are excited for our office building to be named among the first group of
Century Homes to receive this special commemoration,” said Angie Ellison,
executive director of InnerAct Alliance, “We look forward to displaying the bronze
plaque proudly!”
For information, please contact
Angie Ellison, InnerAct Alliance Executive Director at (863) 802-0777 or visit
the Dixieland Neighborhood Association’s website www.historicdixieland.com/centuryhomes for further details about the project.
In addition to October being National Red Ribbon Month, it is also National Bullying Prevention Month. Join us in celebrating UNITY DAY on Wednesday, October 21st by wearing the color orange to share a powerful message that we are together against childhood bullying and united in hope and support for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Bullying is a form of aggression in which someone intentionally mistreats another person. It can come in many forms: verbal, relational aggression, cyber, and prejudicial.
We all have the power to address and discourage bullying of every kind. Be aware of the words you use and the actions you take. Practice being kind and tolerant of those you meet. Make sure anything you say in person or write online is kind. If you witness bullying, speak up to stop the bullying before it begins.
Kindness & Tolerance is one of the themes featured in the Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge weekly activities presented by InnerAct Alliance and Publix Super Markets. Students in grades K-8 can register free at www.RedRibbonRun.com, complete at least 15 challenges by October 31, 2020, and post completed activities on the Red Ribbon Run Facebook page with the hashtag #redribbonchallenge for a chance to earn points and win a special prize. Anyone may register (free) and take part in the Red Ribbon Challenge; however, prizes will not be available for older students, adults, or non-registered participants.
For resources and
information about National Bullying Prevention Month, visit www.pacer.org/bullying and there’s
still time to register and take part in the Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge at www.RedRibbonRun.com
When you see someone being unkind, speak up!
We need to be kind to ourselves and also to others.
StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, 2020, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, for citizens to dispose of unwanted, unneeded, and expired medications in a safe manner. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans have misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medication.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day will include
the following 8 locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused,
expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications in liquid and solid form, vitamins, and syringes
for 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
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, 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
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, funded by GiveWell
Community Foundation, 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). Please note: only solids are accepted in
permanent drop boxes (no liquids or syringes). To avoid harming lakes and
ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.
Previous medication
collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted
in 20,656 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration. 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 on the local Prescription Drug Take-Back event, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.
Saturday, October 10th is
World Mental Health Day
Each year on October 10th, the World Health Organization encourages people across the globe to recognize World Mental Health Day. In 2020, the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic and unrest from other sources has heightened collective stress. In the midst of this uncertainty, World Mental Health Day's goal of raising awareness of the availability and benefits of mental health support offers a path toward relief. Seeking support is important for overall health and well-being - so reach out and know that you are not alone!
October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month and SIDS Awareness Month. In order to help reduce preventable sleep-related deaths in infants less than 1-year of age, Florida Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties is sharing the following valuable information to our community.
Sleep-related deaths are 100% preventable and consistently one of the leading causes of death in children under 1 in Polk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep only on their back for every sleep by every caregiver until the child is one year of age. Infants should be placed alone in their crib and on their backs. There should be no bumpers, pillows, loose bedding, or other soft surfaces, such as stuffed animals, in the crib with the infant.
Caregivers responsible for the infant should never be under the influence of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. Also, caregivers should never share beds with the infant.
Polk County recognizes that this is a serious, but preventable issue. Together we can ensure all caregivers have access to education and resources on safe sleep practices. For more information, please visit the Florida Healthy Start website at www.healthystarthhp.org
More
Susceptible to COVID-19 and Its Complications
People with substance use
disorders (SUDs) may be more likely to become infected and die of COVID-19, according
to recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The effect
was strongest for those with opioid use disorder and tobacco addiction because
their lungs and cardiovascular system may already be severely compromised due
to substance abuse.
Drug use hinders the body’s ability
to fight viral and bacterial infections, disrupting immune function. Study
co-author, Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse,
explained, “Opioids, including but not limited to heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone
and fentanyl, work by slowing down the breathing rate. In addition, the chronic
use of drugs such as tobacco, cocaine, and opioids are associated with heart
problems, including risk for heart attacks and heart failure. The combination
of the two leads to the increased risk of COVID and its complications.”
Join Us for the Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge
Can YOU Complete All the Challenges?
Registration is FREE at www.RedRibbonRun.com
Here's all you need to do:
1) Go to www.RedRibbonRun.com and click on the Registration Tab
2) Create a RunSignUp account
3) You will update your profile each week as you complete your challenges
4) Post your challenges on your Facebook page and use the hashtag #RedRibbonChallenge to receive more points
5) Participants will be eligible to earn a prize if they complete at least 15 of the challenge activities. Prize(s) will be distributed after Winter Break to participants in grades K-8 who have officially registered and completed 15 or more challenges.
Nutrition plays a huge part in staying healthy!
Nutrition helps increase energy, decrease risk of disease, and lowers blood pressure among so many other health benefits. Make sure you fill your plate with fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Try to add either a fruit or veggie with each meal!
