LPD Unveils Our Community's First "Be The Wall" Support Wall

InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, are proud to be working with a pro-active group of coalition members, which includes the Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Schools, Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Office of Drug Control, and many other local partners, in the innovative statewide Be the Wall social marketing campaign that encourages parents to be consistent and steadfast in discouraging underage drinking.

InnerAct staff and coalition members were on hand at the Lakeland Police Department’s Open House on March 19, 2011 to welcome our new police chief, Linda Womack, and share drug prevention materials with parents and kids. Statistics show that the average age kids are offered a gateway drug is 11.5, yet most parents don’t talk to their kids about drugs until 11th grade.

The Lakeland Police Department showed their enthusiastic support by unveiling a visible structure on which parents and influential adults could display cardboard bricks with their signed pledge to Be Clear, Be Firm, Be Consistent…Be The Wall when it comes to keeping alcohol out of the hands of teens. Special thanks to Florida Crime Prevention Practitioners, Anna Ricks (l) and Kim Freeman (r), pictured in the photo above/left standing beside Polk County’s first law enforcement agency support “wall” that they helped spearhead as partners in our community’s Be The Wall Campaign.

The Be The Wall campaign is designed on the premise that while alcohol may be the primary substance of choice for teens across the state and country, underage drinking should be the single most preventable at risk behavior among our teenagers. Recent scientific research shows the adolescent brain is still developing well into the mid-20s. The studies illustrate that teens are wired to take risks, which may help to explain why they are especially prone to rebellious and impulsive behavior.

Help us be the wall between teens and alcohol. Join thousands of Florida parents who have taken the pledge to keep alcohol out of the hands of our kids at www.bethewall.org. For tips on how to talk with your teen, please call StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

NEW RESEARCH FINDINGS ON THE DEVELOPING TEEN BRAIN

Scientific studies indicate that the adolescent brain in both animals and humans undergoes substantial change and maturation into the mid-20s. Research on the developing teen brain offers important insight into the neurological foundation of adolescent behavior, which may help to explain why teens tend to be more impulsive and why rates of substance abuse and risky behavior are far greater for this age group than others.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a new study performed by researchers David Sturman and Bita Moghaddam at the University of Pittsburgh measured the activity of single cells in the brains of adult and adolescent rats to identify the neural roots of differences in brain function. The unique approach used in this work allowed scientists to watch how the adolescent brain responds to rewards resulting from behavior in real time.

The study, recently published in the Journal of Neuroscience entitled “Reduced neuronal inhibition and coordination of adolescent prefrontal cortex during motivated behavior,” showed that even when adult and adolescent rats behaved in exactly the same way in order to receive a food reward, the pattern of firing of single cells in their brains was different. Reduced inhibition of neuron activity shown in adolescents could suggest that they may respond more intensively than adults to reward. These more intense responses may help to explain the increased vulnerability of adolescents to the rewarding effects of alcohol and drugs.

Monitoring how the adolescent brain processes events differently than the adult brain offers a powerful way to understand the vulnerabilities of young people at this age. It further points up the necessity to develop ways to intervene early with teens.

To support parents, retailers, and community members in efforts to keep teens from drinking and using drugs, InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition are partnering with the Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Schools, Florida Department of Children and Families, and many other local partners in an innovative statewide campaign called Be the Wall.

The Be The Wall campaign is designed on the premise that while alcohol may be the primary substance of choice for teens across the state and country, underage drinking should be the single most preventable at risk behavior among our teenagers. Together the StandUP Polk Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk partners encourage parents and influential adults to Be the Wall between teens and alcohol with firm, clear and consistent messages.

For additional information about the campaign, please call StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777 and visit the interactive Be The Wall web site at www.bethewall.com to take the pledge to keep alcohol out of the hands of our teens.

Upcoming InnerAct Alliance Events 2011

UPCOMING INNERACT ALLIANCE AND
COALITION FOR A DRUG-FREE POLK EVENTS

Third Thursday of Each Month – Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk Monthly Meetings

StandUP 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 attend meetings held on the 3rdThursday of each month at 9 AM at Family Fundamentals, 1021 Lakeland Hills Blvd., in Lakeland.

UthMpact is the coalition for teens by teens educating and empowering teens to make healthy decisions and take action against alcohol, tobacco and drug use. Join the UthMpact prevention effort and earn community service hours by volunteering. Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm at Family Fundamentals, 1021 Lakeland Hills Blvd., in Lakeland. Visit our web site at www.UthMpact.com or find UthMpact Coalition on Facebook.

Sunday, April 3, 2011 – Safe Kids Walk and Roll 9 AM to 12 PM

Lots of family fun is planned at the 3rd Annual Safe Kids Walk & Roll on Sunday morning, April 3, 2011, held in conjunction with the Chain of Lakes Cycling Classic. Activities for all ages include a bike rodeo, safety walk, free bike helmets for all ages (while supplies last), prevention and safety information. Additional information will be announced soon by event sponsors Safe Kids Florida Suncoast, All Children’s Hospital, All Children’s Specialty Care of Lakeland, InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk.

Saturday, April 30, 2011 – Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off - 9 AM to 1 PM

StandUP Polk and its coalition partners are planning a Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off event on Saturday, April 30, 2011, in conjunction with the DEA’s National Take Back Initiative, for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal.

Medications should be secured in a clear sealed plastic bag, and may be brought to any of the following locations on April 30th for safe disposal:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL
City of Zolfo Springs Sheriff Substation – US 17 (Town Hall Building), Zolfo Springs, FL
Florida Dept. of Transportation – 801 North Broadway, Bartow, FL – Hosted by Bartow P.D.

Davenport Police Department – 17 Market Street, Davenport, FL
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL
Hardee County Sheriff’s Office – 900 East Summit Street, Wauchula, FL
Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 North Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL
Lake Wales Police Department – 133 East Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, FL
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL
Winter Haven Police Department – 125 North Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven, FL
Wauchula Police Department - 128 South 7th Street, Wauchula, FL

The coalition recognizes the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and planned this event for two very 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 drugs abuse by decreasing the availability of expired or unwanted medications. Previous pill collections held by the coalition last March and September in Polk County have resulted in nearly 650 pounds of medications safely disposed of via incineration.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 – Red Ribbon Fifth Grade Rallies

Nearly 6,000 fifth grade students will be invited by InnerAct Alliance to attend Red Ribbon Rallies in May to encourage the choice of a positive lifestyle without the use of drugs. Events will take place on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at The Lakeland Center and at the Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven on a future date to be decided.

The anti-drug rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Guest speaker and community leaders will encourage the choice of a positive, healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs. As part of the Rally programs, fifth grade students will be challenged to create original essays, poems, and posters that convey topical messages about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Contest winners will be recognized during the rallies with cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 awarded to overall first place winners in each contest category.

For more information, please call (863) 802-0777

DEA Ban on Synethetic Marijuana Sold as Herbal Incense

The popular herbal incense drug known as Spice, K2, Blaze and Red X Dawn that mimics the effects of marijuana and has become increasingly popular with teens in Florida won't be legal for much longer.

On November 24, 2010, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration enacted an emergency ban on five chemicals (JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47,497, and cannabicyclohexanol) used to make "fake pot" products. This action will make possessing and selling the chemicals or products that contain them illegal in the U.S. for at least a year, while further studies are done.

Until the ban, the drug-laced incense was easy to find at gas stations, convenience stores, smoke shops, and over the Internet. Many people have been led to believe that "fake pot" is a safe and harmless alternative to marijuana, but it is actually more potent and dangerous. Synthetic marijuana is a plant material that has been coated with chemicals that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The chemicals used have not been approved by the FDA for human consumptions and there is no oversight on the manufacturing process.

Most victims with complications from smoking this drug suffer racing heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, paranoia, nausea and vomiting. The explosion in reports about bad reactions to synthetic marijuana from poison control centers, hospitals, and law enforcement over the past year prompted federal officials to take action. For our children's health and safety, the ban of these harmful products couldn't have come soon enough!

Holiday Cheer, Parental Fear?

Happy Holidays from the board and staff at
InnerAct Alliance!

Along with the good wishes comes a reminder for parents to be aware of the potential mixed messages to impressionable teens and young children that may result during holiday revelry. Children tend to see things in black and white, particularly when it comes to justifying personal behaviors. They may think "if adults drink to celebrate the holidays, why shouldn't I?"

Let your child see that there are healthier ways to celebrate and entertain with alcohol-free beverages and plenty of food. YOU are important role models for your children, even those who are fast becoming teenagers. Be consistent in your attitudes, behaviors and messages about alcohol and teen during the holidays and into the New Year!

InnerAct Alliance Seeks Community Support for Its "Prevention Paints a Brighter Tomorrow" Fundraiser

InnerAct Alliance is proud to celebrate 25 years of prevention education. In an effort to ensure that the nonprofit agency will be able to continue its mission to help prevent the devastating physical, emotional, and financial problems of addiction, a "Prevention Paints a Brighter Tomorrow" Fundraising Project is underway to fund future education programs and awareness events.

Commemorative tiles are being sold for $10 for children, families, and community supporters to decorate. The decorated tiles may be kept as a keepsake, or be donated to become part of a special monument that will be dedicated to the agency and displayed in a public location in Lakeland to be announced soon. An artist's rendering of the unique InnerAct Alliance sculpture appears above left.

A special package of 25 tiles is also available for purchase to sponsor a Birthday Party for a child or a Classroom Party that would be a fun, creative learning experience for students!

InnerAct Alliance has served the Polk County community since 1985 with education prevention classes, drug-free puppet shows, and popular awareness events including the Annual Red Ribbon Campaign, Red Ribbon Run, and Fifth Grade Motivational Rallies that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, and others in need.

For additional information on InnerAct Alliance's fundraising project, prevention programs and services in the community, please contact us at (863) 802-0777.

InnerAct Alliance Celebrates 25 Years of Prevention Education!

InnerAct Alliance, formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center, is proud to celebrate 25 years of prevention education to our community. The nonprofit agency was founded in 1985 through the efforts of concerned citizens who worked tirelessly to offer resources, provide drug education, and create awareness of the dangers of substance abuse. During its humble beginnings, the group literally had to pass a hat for money to pay the phone bill.

Over the past 25 years, the agency has proudly become a top-tier prevention provider in the tri-county area, dedicated to reducing the abuse and underage use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development.

InnerAct Alliance has served an estimated one million people with an important substance abuse prevention message. The agency is committed impacting the community in a positive way by offering educational evidence-based prevention classes, drug-free puppet shows, and awareness events, such as the Annual Red Ribbon Campaign each fall, and Red Ribbon Rallies for fifth grade students in the spring, that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups, and others in need.

InnerAct Alliance needs your support! In an effort to ensure that the agency will continue its mission to help prevent the devastating physical, emotional, and financial problems of addiction, a special 25th Anniversary reception is planned on Friday, November 12, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Peggy Brown Building, in Lakeland. Agency founder, Kaye Blanton McConnell, and chief supporter, Lakeland Police Chief Roger Boatner, will be honored as community heroes at the fundraising event. Donation is $50 per couple.

Commemorative tiles and holiday ornaments will be available for purchase. Cost for a tile is $10. A tile and holiday ornament package will be sold for $20. Tiles may be personally decorated and kept as a family keepsake, or donated to become part of a special monument that will be dedicated to the agency.

For more information on the 25th Annivesary Event and fundraising activities, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.