Last Chance to Shop for Free Prom Attire Tomorrow, Saturday April 5

 

Tomorrow - Saturday, April 5 - is Project Prom's last Student Shopping Day of the spring season. If you are still in need of a gorgeous dress, spectacular suit, dancing shoes, or the perfect accessories, join us at the Project Prom Store at Lakeland Square Mall tomorrow between 11:00am and 4:00pm. Bring your Polk School ID, sign a pledge to celebrate alcohol and drug free, and receive your prom wear at no cost!

Project Prom welcomes donations of gently used dresses, shoes, men's suits, and accessories. Especially needed are women's dresses in sizes XS (0-3) and Plus Sizes (18+), as well as men's dress pants (waist 30-36) and dress shirts in all sizes. Formal wear donations may be dropped off at the Project Prom Store tomorrow (Saturday 4/5) or at the InnerAct Alliance office, located at 621 S. Florida Ave. in Lakeland, from 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays. Thank you for your support! 👗🤵

Hidden Dangers of Party Drugs: Use of Synthetic Cathinone Stimulant, N,N-Dimethylpentylone, on the Rise

 

Prevention starts with awareness and awareness starts with open conversations with our kids. According to prevention partners at Informed Families, some dangerous party drugs are being disguised as something else and putting young people at serious risk. 

A synthetic stimulant called N,N-Dimethylpentylone (NPS) is being sold as designer drug MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, but it’s far more harmful that people realize.

A recent news article in Jacksonville, FL describes the availability of the psychoactive substance NPS on the illicit drug market of Northeast Florida. While users may think they are buying cocaine or ecstasy in some cases, they may actually be getting N,N-Dimethylpentylone, which may cause users to experience euphoria and increased energy, but harmful side effects may include hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, hallucinations, dehydration, loss of consciousness, and death.

Experts like Dr. Bruce Goldberger from the University of Florida have linked this drug to violent behavior, extreme paranoia, and even fatal overdoses. 

The numbers tell a scary story:

*In 2022, Florida saw 370 deaths caused by cathinones (the drug family that includes NPA)

*In 2023, that number almost doubled to 642 deaths, with cathinones found in a total of 917 cases 

*Use of these synthetic drugs jumped by 67% and deaths increased by more than 73% in just one year

These numbers are not just statistics - they represent real lives lost, real families devastated, and a growing danger for young people who may not even realize the risk they are taking.

Read: https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/07/11/newest-drug-to-hits-the-streets-makes-its-way-to-northeast-florida-nightclubs-bars/

Join Us to Stay Informed: Own the Upside Prevention Summit: April 17

 

Register Today!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/own-the-upside-prevention-summit-tickets-1219654261729?aff=oddtdtcreator

Addiction Can Happen to Anyone

 

Addiction can happen to anyone and it is a serious medical condition. Drugs change the brain's structure and how it works, which is why it is considered a brain disease. Addiction can take people to dark places - and delusional thinking, caused by chemical changes in the brain, can keep them there.

Brain-imaging studies on people addicted to drugs show physical changes in areas of the brain that are critical for judgment, decision-making, learning, memory, and behavior control. Scientists believe these changes affect the way the brain works and may help explain the many compulsive and destructive behaviors of someone who has a substance use disorder.

You Can Be Part of the Solution! Prevention and early intervention strategies can reduce the negative impact of substance use and mental disorders. When parents create supportive, nurturing environments, children learn to make better decisions. Foster strong, open relationships and talk to your kids about addiction being a disease. Help them learn the risks of using alcohol and other drugs. Also, encourage friends and loved ones who may have a substance use problem to seek help. All of this helps to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder - it can truly save lives. 

An excellent resource in our community is the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN), which supports prevention coalitions and partners through a 14-county network. Prevention partners provide information, resources, and coordinate efforts to help prevent substance abuse addiction. 

InnerAct Alliance is proud to serve as a prevention partner in Polk County, but if you live outside of Polk, CFBHN can help locate local prevention programs and partners in our community with their listing of services by county:

https://www.cfbhn.org/prevention-partners/

Did You Know Fact: Underage Drinking

 

Did You Know that 23% of high school teens drank alcohol in the past 30 days and 11% binge drank? Underage drinking causes 3,900+ deaths each year.

And a 5% increase in binge drinking among adults in a community is associated with a 12% increase in the chance of underage drinking. 

Youth drinking habits are greatly influenced by adults at home and in their community. Remember that prevention starts with us!