Own the Upside proudly presented the Annual Prevention Summit on April 9, 2024 at the Bartow Civic Center in partnership with InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk, and UthMpact Polk. This full-day informational event was attended by 150 community members and included dynamic guest speakers who shared their knowledge in enlightening presentations to provide a realistic view of youth culture, explore current and emerging drug trends, and inform about issues facing our community.
Special thanks to prevention experts Cynthia Tapia-Rodriguez (Broward County Schools) and Luz Angela Ventura (United Way of Broward County Commission on Behavior Health & Drug Prevention) for presenting how Keeping to the Science of the Positive can have a powerful impact on our lives; substance abuse prevention facilitators Dave Closson and Angie Asa-Lovstad for sharing helpful strategies in Timeline to Tomorrow: Uniting for a Safer, Healthier Polk; along with other honored guest speakers Joanna Tides (Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA) informing how we can prepare ourselves, our families, and communities in Current Drug Trends and Drug Prevention Resources; Kadian Parchment (Heartland for Children) updating methods to prevent Human Trafficking; and Alexandra Taylor (Peace River Center) and representatives from Polk County Sheriff's Office and Lakeland Police Dept. overviewing efforts to keep our community safe in Mental Health and Law Enforcement. Our appreciation to Patrick Grady (TNT Enterprises) for his time and talents as event emcee and to Il Forno Restaurant for a delicious lunch.
The Summit was enhanced by participation from wonderful community vendors who shared information and fun raffle prizes for attendees: Lakeland Police Dept., Healthy Families, Guardian AD Litem-Circuit 10, United Way of Central Florida Community Wellness, Peace River, Pace Center for Girls, Polk County Sheriff's Office, RSVP Polk, Heartland for Children, and the DEA.
We are grateful to all who came together to help our Polk County community work collaboratively in the war on drugs - hope to see you at the 2025 Annual Prevention Summit!
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