Invest in Our Planet: Support Earth Day – Saturday, April 22

 

Saturday April 22 is Earth Day, the annual celebration to raise awareness and advocate for change on issues that impact our home - Planet Earth! The Earth Day initiative began in 1970 and has grown to include events coordinated globally that involve over a billion people in more than 193 countries.

InnerAct Alliance and coalition partners, StandUP Polk and UthMpact, support Earth Day initiatives and local efforts year-round to keep our community safe. Through proactive social norms messaging, we share educational facts with teens and adults to encourage healthy life choices and discourage alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use to minimize health problems and prevent harm.

We join with the DEA and local law enforcement to host National Prescription Drug Take Back events offering citizens an opportunity to turn in unused or expired human and pet medications for safe and proper disposal. The Spring 2023 Rx Take Back Day takes place today - Saturday, April 22 - from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at 9 police department locations in Polk County. Medication should be placed in clear, air-tight plastic bags. 

Unwanted medication may also be taken to Polk County's permanent drop sites, funded by GiveWell Community Foundation, year-round at 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). Liquids or syringes are not accepted in permanent drop boxes.

InnerAct Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and licensed provider for substance abuse prevention in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. For information on local programs and events, call (863) 802-0777 or visit https://www.inneractalliance.org/ and https://www.standuppolk.org/events