2nd Countywide Purge Your Pills Drop Off Nets Over 400 lbs. of Pharmaceuticals

The second countywide prescription medication collection by StandUP Polk and its partners in the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk was a great success! The event, held in conjunction with the DEA's National Pill Take Back Initiative on Saturday, September 25, 2010, resulted in a estimated 400 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals. An earlier pill collection held by the coalition in March 2010 brought in 245.5 pounds of medication.

Over 300 people brought human and pet medications to drop-off sites throughout the county including Auburndale Police Department; Florida Department of Transportation (hosted by Bartow Police Department), Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter haven Police Department. All medications have been safely disposed of via incineration.

The coalition partners recognize the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and planned this event for two important reasons - to help Polk County residents properly dispose of old and unused prescription medications in an environmentally safe manner that will not be harmful to the aquifer or ground water, and to help reduce prescription drug abuse by decreasing the availability of expired or unwanted medications. The coalition is planning future pill drop events and discussing permanent pill drop off venues in the county.

Prescription medication has become one of the fastest-growing abused drugs of adults and especially teens, who report finding painkillers, stimulants, depressants, and other medications to abuse right in their own family medicine cabinet. Preventing youth from gaining access to prescription and over-the-counter drugs is one way to prevent and stop this epidemic. Parents should also talk with their children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug Free Polk, is a group of concerned citizens, law enforcement, community and business leaders working together to take a stand against drugs and bring about positive change for Polk County. All are welcome to join this important initative and take part in monthly meetings. Key support for the Rx Pill Drop event has been provided by: Auburndale Police Department, Bartow Police Department, Florida Department of Transportation, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Waste Resource Management, and Winter Haven Police Department. For more information, please call Angie Ellison at InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.

InnerAct Aliance Awarded Drug Free Communities Grant

InnerAct Alliance is the proud recipient of a Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC) Grant awarded on August 31, 2010 by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant provides community coalitions needed support to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse.

InnerAct Alliance, formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center, has worked diligently for the past 25 years to reduce the abuse and underage use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency also serves as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk (adult-based) and UthMpact (youth-based) Coalitions for a Drug-Free Polk to help educate about the dangers of substance abuse and bring about positive changes for Polk County.

"We are honored to have been chosen as a recipient of the DFC grant for our community!" said Angie Ellison, executive director. "StandUP Polk and InnerAct Alliance are blessed with the support of an active group of concerned citizens, community leaders, parents, youth, educators, health care, business professionals, law enforcement, and local media dedicated to youth prevention initiatives for reducing prescription drug abuse and underage drinking. The $125,000 funding over a period of five years will allow our coalition efforts to continue to grow and expand to strengthen our community."

InnerAct Alliance is one of only 169 new grantees selected from 521 applicants through a competitive, peer-reviewed process. To qualify for one of these matching grants, awardees must show a six-month history of working together on youth substance use reduction initiatives with representation from 12 sectors of the community, and have a long-term plan to reduce youth substance abuse.

For additional information on StandUP Polk, UthMpact and InnerAct Alliance's prevention programs and services in the community, please contact Angie Ellison, Executive Director, at (863) 802-0777.

Red Ribbon Safe Kids Walk & Roll - October 16, 2010!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
Lake Region High School
1995 Thunder Road, Eagle Lake (Winter Haven)
8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

Fun for all ages is planned at the 2nd Annual Red Ribbon Safe Kids Walk & Roll on Saturday, October 16, 2010, from 8 AM to 12 Noon, at Lake Region High School. Enjoy a bike rodeo, safety walk, prevention and safety information and more!

Free Bike Helmets for All Ages!! (while supplies last)
Free T-Shirt to first 400 Children in K-8th to register at event!!

For information, please contact: Amy Heinzen, Safe Kids Coordinator at All Children's Hospital at 1-800-756-SAFE (7233) ext. 2

Special thanks to event sponsors: All Children's Hospital, InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk, All Children's Speciality Care of Lakeland and Safe Kids/Florida Suncoast.

InnerAct Alliance's Drug Free is HOT Red Ribbon Bus!

It's Red Ribbon Time!

Be on the Lookout for InnerAct Alliance's Drug Free is HOT Red Ribbon Bus traveling on the roads throughout Polk County during September and October! Special thanks to Citrus Connection, Madden Brand Identity and Dixie Signs for their kind support and helpful assistance in making this a reality for our agency!

Celebrate Family Day on Monday, September 27, 2010!

Make A Date For Dinner With Your Kids!
Monday, September 27, 2010

Did you know that eating dinner frequently with
your children reduces their risk of substance abuse?

Whether you're cooking a gourmet meal or ordering from your favorite restaurant, what your kids really want at the dinner table is YOU! Research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) consistently finds that the more children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use drugs. Family meals are the perfect time to talk to your kids and to listen to what's on their mind.

InnerAct Alliance is proud to partner with CASA and Crispers to celebrate Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children on Monday, September 27, 2010!

Crispers locations throughout the state are offering a Family Day Meal Special, which includes a FREE KIDS MEAL WITH THE PURCHASE OF AN ADULT MEAL (one child per adult). This offer is good on Monday, September 27, 2010 from 4 PM to 8 PM.

For more information, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.

Prescription Drug Summit & Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off Events

1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit & Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off

presented by InnerAct Alliance and Members of StandUP Polk, Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk

InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, are proud to present the 1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit on Monday, September 20, 2010 at 7:30 AM, at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene in Lakeland, to raise awareness about the alarming trend of abuse of prescription drugs and how it affects Polk County schools, businesses and families. The Keynote Speaker will be Sharon Kelley, MS, PMD, and CEO of Alliance for Global Narcotics Training, who will address attendees from 7:30 - 9:00 AM. Solution-planning group sessions led by Ms. Kelley and local experts in the field will take place from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. The first 100 registrants to RSVP to InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777 will receive free breakfast at 7:00 AM.

StandUP Polk and its partners in The Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk are also planning a second Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off event in conjunction with the DEA's National Take Back Initiative on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for citizens to turn in unused, expired or unwanted Human and Pet Medication for safe and proper disposal. The first countywide medication collection held on March 20, 2010 resulted in an estimated 245.5 lbs. of recovered pharmaceuticals.

Locations for the Pill Drop off are:

Auburndale Police Department - 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL

Florida Department of Transportation - 801 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL (hosted by Bartow PoliceDept.)

Haines City Police Department - 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL

Lake Alfred Police Department - 190 North Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL

Lakeland Police Department - 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL

Winter Haven Police Department - 125 North Lake Silver Drive, NW, Winter Haven, FL

All medications should be secured in a clear, air-tight sealed plastic bag.

With an average of 7 Rx drug-related deaths in Florida each day, the intentional abuse of prescription drugs to alter brain activity is quickly becoming an epidemic! This alarming trend is especially prevalent in teenagers. Over 70% of young people age 12 & older who abuse prescription painkillers get them free from the homes of family or friends. Preventing youth from gaining access to prescription and over-the-counter drugs is one way to prevent and stop this epidemic. Clean out medicine cabinets regularly and properly dispose of any old and unused medication to alleviate the potential danger that can be found within the confines of our homes. Parents also need to talk with their children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, is a group of concerned citizens, community and business leaders working together to take a stand against drugs and bring about positive change for Polk County. All are welcome to join this new initiative and take part in monthly planning sessions. Key support for the Prescription Drug Summit has been provided by: Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group, P.A., Watson Clinic Foundation, Inc., and the Lakeland Police Department.

For information, please call Angie Ellison at InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.

Mark Your Calendar For Red Ribbon Campaign Special Events This Fall!

Bright Red Ribbons signify that it is time for the Red Ribbon Campaign 2010, the national public awareness campaign to raise awareness of substance abuse. Wear a Red Ribbon on your clothing and display a ribbon on the door of your home or business, or on your vehicle, to show support for a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Join us to celebrate InnerAct Alliance's 25th Anniversary of providing prevention services to the community with the following activities:

Monday, September 20 - 1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit - 7:30 AM to 1 PM - InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk, the coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, are proud to present an informative Prescription Drug Summit to raise awareness about the alarming trend of prescription drugs and how it affects Polk County schools, businesses and families. Keynote Speaker, Sharon Kelley, MS, PMD, CEO of Alliance for Global Narcotics Training, will address attendees from 7:30 AM to 9 AM and Planning Breakout Groups will be held from 9 AM to 11 AM, at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland. First 100 registrants to RSVP to InnerAct Alliance at 863/802-0777 receive free breakfast at 7 AM.

Saturday, September 25 - Countywide Purge Your Pills Drop Off - 9 AM to 1 PM - StandUP Polk and its coalition partners are planning a second Purge Your Pills Drop Off event, in conjunction with the DEA's National Take Back Initiative, for citizens to turn in unused, expired or unwanted medication for safe and proper disposal. Drop off locations: Auburndale Police Department (2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL); Florida Department of Transportation (801 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL - hosted by Bartow Police Department); Haines City Police Department (35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL); Lakeland Police Department (219 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, FL ); and Winter Haven Police Department (125 North Lake Silver Drive, Winter Haven, FL). All medication should be secured in a clear, air-tight sealed plastic bag.

Saturday, September 25 - Red Ribbon Distribution - 9 AM to 1 PM - Red satin lapel ribbons will be distributed to the community free of charge in coordination with the Countywide Purge Your Pills Drop Off event at locations listed above.

Monday, September 27 - Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children - Parents, what kids really want at the dinner table is YOU! Eating frequently with your children reduces their risk of substance abuse. InnerAct Alliance is partnering with Crispers locations throughout the state to offer a Family Day Meal Special of a FREE Kids Meal with the Purchase of an Adult Meal (one child per adult) from 4 PM to 8 PM on 9/27/10!

Monday, October 4 - City of Lakeland Proclamation of Red Ribbon Month - 9 AM at City Hall.

Wednesday, October 6 - Polk County Commission Proclamation of Red Ribbon Month - 9 AM.

Tuesday, October 12 - Polk County School Board Proclamation of Red Ribbon Month - 1:30 PM.

Saturday, October 16 - Red Ribbon Safe Kids Walk & Roll - 8 AM to 12 PM - Fun for all ages is planned at the 2nd Annual Red Ribbon Safe Kids Walk & Roll at Lake Region High School, which features a bike rodeo, safety walk, prevention and safety information and more. First 400 K-8th graders to register the morning of the event receive a FREE T-Shirt!

Saturday, November 6 - 19th Annual Red Ribbon Run and Kids Health & Wellness Carnival - Over 1,800 youth in grades K-5 will participate in the popular Red Ribbon Run, the largest youth running event in Polk county, which will be held this year at George Jenkins High School. All ages are welcome to participate. Registration for K-5 students is FREE and pre-registered children will receive a FREE T-SHIRT! Registration fee is $10 for students in grade 6 & above and adults to participate in the Open Run. Registration check-in begins at 7 AM. First race begins at 8 AM. Festivities also include the Kids Health & Wellness Carnival from 9 AM to 1 PM to celebrate the importance of good health. Wristbands will be sold for $5 admission for kids age 3 and up to enjoy interactive attractions, healthy activities, and entertainment. K-5th grade participants will receive a FREE BOOK to take home!

Friday, November 12 - InnerAct Alliance's 25th Anniversary Celebration - 6 PM to 8 PM - Plan to attend a special event to celebrate InnerAct Alliance's 25th Anniversary at the Peggy Brown Building in Lakeland! Additional details will be announced soon or call InnerAct Alliance at 802-0777.