Public Safety Alert - Xylazine Making Deadly Fentanyl Even Deadlier

Officials are sounding a new alert about a combination of illegal drugs being found on our streets right here in Central Florida that is complicating the nation's response to the opioid crisis. Detectives are finding the powerful sedative Xylazine mixed with fentanyl, the potent opioid that is lethal even in small amounts.

Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer used for animal surgeries and is not approved for human use. Users are drawn to the combination of xylazine mixed with fentanyl, called "tranq" on the streets, because it provides a longer-lasting high.

This deadly drug mix of fentanyl laced with xylazine is even more difficult to treat and more deadly because it is a sedative, not an opioid, so Narcan/naloxone DOES NOT reverse the effects. In humans, xylazine can cause difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, severe wounds, severe tissue damage, and death.

Prevalence has grown from about 1% in 2018. Now, roughly 80% of the fentanyl law enforcement seized or bought undercover has been found to contain some form of xylazine. 

Deputies in the Orlando area have just busted a gang of suspected drug dealers operating in Orange County who are facing charges in what's now known as Operation Moscow Mule. 

Slow Your Scroll & Have a Little Fun This Monday!

 

Happy Monday! Sometimes at the start of a busy week, we all may need to remind ourselves to take a minute to enjoy the little things. Well, thanks to our friends @Positively Present, here is a colorful summer-oriented graphic with a reminder to "Slow Your Scroll", take a break, and have some fun!

Ground yourself in the present by searching for some of the following items:

- Something you'd see at the beach

- An object with multiple colors
- Flowers that have white petals

- Something good for a hot day

- Anything you'd find underwater

- Items you could have fun with

- Something related to swimming

- Things you might find outside

- An item you could carry around

- Something you'd eat or drink

- Objects you could sit on or in

- The first animal or insect you see

- Something you could see through

- 10 (or more) different seashells

- Items that offer sun protection

When we slow down to enjoy fun things, we give ourselves a much-needed break to connect with the present moment. Use your 5 senses to play a little game of "I Spy" and Happy Hunting! 🔎

Diversity is Beautiful - Celebrate Our Differences

 Celebrate Our Differences

Honoring Freedom on Juneteenth

 

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration marking the date that the latest enslaved people learned of their freedom in America.

After the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, slave owners in many isolated areas kept word from those they had enslaved so they would not flee. Two years later on June 19, 1865, some of the last enslaved people in America finally learned of their freedom when news reached Confederate Galveston, Texas.

Since that day, Juneteenth honors the African Americans who helped to build this nation. It's a reminder of the long fight for freedom and the work we must continue to do to build a better future with liberty and justice for all. 

Celebrating All Dads this Father’s Day – Sunday, June 18, 2023

 

Fathers are the anchors who teach us the true meaning of selflessness, kindness, and unconditional love. Today we celebrate all the incredible fathers who make the world a better place. This also includes the father figures in our lives such as stepfathers, uncles, moms, and grandparents who often fill that role as well.

To my own Dad, Roy, love you 💕 miss you 💚 and thank you for acting like a kid when we were kids, acting like a friend when we needed a friend, and acting like a parent when we needed one. You’ve brought love and laughter into our lives through the years and you’ll forever be our rock, role model, and super-hero for all you’ve done for us! 

InnerAct Alliance wishes a Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible dads in our community who play a vital role in shaping the lives of their children.

Happy Flag Day June 14!

 

Flag Day is a celebration of the American Flag that occurs each year on the anniversary of the flag's official adoption - June 14. The flag we know as the "Stars and Stripes" was adopted by the Continental Congress as the official American flag on June 14, 1777 in the midst of the Revolutionary War.

Records indicate that Betsy Ross made pennants for the Philadelphia Navy during the war and inspired the design of the current flag. Many believe she also sewed the first flag.

Historical Facts 

January 1, 1776 - The first U.S. flag, the "Grand Union" was displayed by George Washington. The unofficial national flag preceded the 13-star, 13-stripe version.

June 14, 1777 - The Stars and Stripes were adopted by the Continental Congress as the Flag of the U.S.

June 14, 1877 - Flag Day was observed nationally for the first time on the 100th anniversary of the Stars and Stripes - and continues today.

June 14, 1937 - Pennsylvania became the first state in the U.S. to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday.

July 4, 1960 - The new 50-star flag was flown for the first time - the flag that still flies today.

Why is the American Flag Red, White & Blue?

White - purity and innocence

Red - valor and hardiness

Blue - vigilance, perseverance, justice

June is Pride Month in Support of Equal Justice & Rights

Addiction and alcoholism affect individuals across all lines of age, race, sexual identity, religion, and socio-economic status. An estimated 88,000 deaths each year are related to alcohol use and the LGBTQ+ community is especially vulnerable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), studies show that gay and bisexual men, lesbian, and transgender individuals are more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Lack of acceptance is one reason that young members of the LGBTQ+ community often battle mental health challenges. They often turn to drugs and alcohol to help lesson emotional stress and fear of rejection from family and friends. Other stressors, such as fear of harassment, discrimination, and violence, further increase the risk for sexual minorities to suffer from mental and behavioral health issues.

June is Pride Month to support equal rights for those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community and encourage greater acceptance in society at large. Family acceptance can help decrease the risk of suicide, depression, and substance abuse for LGBTQ+ youth. 

Learn more and find resources from Mental Health America at https://mhanational.org/pride

 

Tips to Keep Teen Drivers Safe This Summer

 

100 Deadliest Days of Summer – Don’t Drive Distracted

 

With Memorial Day having come and gone, we’ve entered a period officials call the 100 Deadliest Days of the Year for teen drivers. It is a mission to raise awareness for driving safely during the summer months when more young drivers are on the road.

According to the FL Dept of Transportation (FDOT), the “100 Deadliest Days” is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal teen crashes increase dramatically. Nationwide, more than 7,000 people died in teen-related crashes from 2010 – 2019 during this summer period. On average, eight people are killed and 49 are seriously injured on Florida’s roads each day – driver behavior is a contributing factor in a majority of these serious and fatal crashes.

The agency said that teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes due to immaturity and a lack of skills and experience. Teenagers speed, wear their seat belts less often, and they get distracted easily - especially when friends are in the car. Parents are the best line of defense to ensure safety - they have more influence on their teen drivers than they think. FDOT suggests that parents talk to their teens before giving them the car keys and remind them to pay full attention to the road and not text while behind the wheel.

To help cut down on distracted driving this summer, state transportation leaders will unveil their Target Zero Campaign this week to help reduce the number of transportation-related serious injuries and deaths across Florida to ZERO. Media ads will run through June with one important goal - to keep drivers’ eyes on the road. Research shows that young males ages 22-27 make up 50% of fatal crashes, so there will be a special focus on young men their mid-20s with a message not to text and drive

FDOT and State Troopers remind ALL DRIVERS to:

*Put your phone down & only focus on driving
*If you need to return a text or phone call, find a safe place to pull over first
*If you see someone who appears to be distracted while driving, dial *3-4-7 to report them

Make Note of Florida’s Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holidays

 

Looking to save some $$$ this summer? Consumers can purchase qualifying recreation and outdoor items as well as admissions to entertainment and cultural events exempt from tax during the 2023 Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday.

Thanks to our friend April and Lakeland Mom.com for sharing this list of various items available for purchase during the Freedom Summer tax-free shopping days to save on big purchases you may be thinking of making. Click the name of any sales tax holiday listed below to learn more about the dates and which items are included:

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays - No sales tax on hurricane supplies (including pet food and supplies) - there are two 2-week sales tax holidays this summer

Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday - No sales tax on tickets to live events, some annual memberships, outdoor activity gear, boating gear, camping gear, and much more - runs the entire summer. 

Back to School Tax Free Weeks - No sales tax on clothing, school supplies - 14 days at the end of summer AND there is a second holiday in January 2024

Tool Time Sales Tax Holiday - No sales tax on certain tools

Permanent Sales Tax Breaks for Families - No sales tax charged on diapers, baby gear, clothing for children under 5

https://lakelandmom.com/tax-free-weekend-florida/

https://floridarevenue.com/freesomsummer

 

Resources to Help Keep Your Kids Busy This Summer!

 

Summer Vacation is upon us with so many great activities out there to keep kids busy during their downtime off from school. This can be the best summer break for them to enjoy and remember!

Our friends at Lakeland Mom have compiled an amazing Summer Camp Guide that lists all kinds of awesome camps and activities available in and around Lakeland and Polk County!

Summer vacation can often be a time when kids tend to partake in risky behaviors so enrolling them in fun summer camps is a perfect opportunity for them to make friends, have fun, and learn something new while keeping away from illegal substances and risky behaviors.

Visit:  https://lakelandmom.com/summer-camp-directory/

Happy June Entering the Best Season for Self-Care!

 

Happy June everyone! With summertime nearly upon us, this can be the best season for self-care. The increased sun exposure helps to boost vitamin D levels and can even improve your mood. Spending time in the sun helps your body produce melatonin (the sleep hormone) at night, allowing you to sleep better and feel better overall.

Practicing self-care can help you maintain good physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being. Try adding some of the inspirational tips suggested in the cute graphic above from Positively Present as part of your summer self-care routine to improve your overall mood and mental health!