PURGE YOUR PILLS Rx DROP OFF - APRIL 28, 2012

Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off - Saturday, April 28th

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, for citizens who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Our community’s Spring Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off will include 8 locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag.
Drop-off locations on April 28th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL
Davenport Police Department – 17 Market Street, Davenport, FL
FDOT – 801 North Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL – Hosted by Bartow Police Dept.
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, 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

Previous prescription medication collections held in Polk County in spring and fall 2010 and spring 2011 have resulted in nearly 1,700 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals. All medications were safely disposed of via incineration.

For more information on the local Pill Drop event or locations, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

StandUP Polk & UthMpact Coalition Coordinators to Attend National Substance Abuse Prevention Conference in Washington, D.C.

Members of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk are headed to Washington, D.C. this week to join nearly 3,000 substance abuse prevention and treatment specialists and advocates at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s 22nd Annual National Leadership Forum, which will be held from February 6-9, 2012. The CADCA Conference is the nation’s largest training for substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals and researchers.

The forum agenda will include conference headline guest speakers, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and James Fowler, Ph.D., author of Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, among others. Polk Coalition Coordinators, Lisa A. Jones of StandUP Polk, and Veronica Awai of UthMpact, will also have the opportunity to meet with the Florida members of both the House and Senate during CADCA’s Capitol Hill Day on February 8, 2012 to brief them on the coalitions’ local activities and programs.

“We are looking forward to having our coalition coordinators travel to our nation’s Capitol, and make the most of this outstanding opportunity to interact with other prevention specialists and learn the latest strategies to help keep our community safe from the harms of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse,” said Angie Ellison, executive director of InnerAct Alliance, the agency that serves as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk (adult-based) and UthMpact (youth-based) Coalitions for a Drug-Free Polk.

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. UthMpact is the dynamic youth coalition of teen leaders committed to helping educate and deliver key substance abuse prevention messages to teens by their peers. This energetic group has developed anti-tobacco, underage drinking, and social norming campaigns currently being piloted in Polk County middle and high schools.

For more information about the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, please contact Lisa A. Jones or Veronica Awai at 863-802-0777, or via e-mail at: lisa.jones@inneractalliance.org or veronica@uthmpact.com.

CADCA is the national membership organization representing more than 5,000 coalitions and affiliates working to make America’s communities safe, healthy and drug-free. Its mission is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, conferences, and special events.

For information about CADCA’s National Leadership Forum, visit http://forum.cadca.org/. Members of the media interested in press credentials to attend CADCA’s National Leadership Forum should contact Natalia Martinez Duncan at 703-706-0560, Ext. 256 or via e-mail at: nmartinez@cadca.org.

UthMpact Service Leadership Day - November 30, 2011

On November 30, 2011, a group of 30 high school student participants in the UthMpact Leadership Program had the unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the importance of service leadership and the positive impact of volunteerism in our community. The action-packed agenda for UthMpact Service Leadership Day included meeting with administrators, touring the facilities, and serving as volunteers at local nonprofit agencies including Lighthouse Ministries and Viste in Lakeland, along with a stop to visit with elderly residents at Hawthorne Inn.

The following summary of the day’s activities was written by participants Richard Anderson and Rachel Martin, students at Harrison School for the Visual and Performing Arts:

During our most recent Leadership Day, UthMpact members assisted at Lighthouse Ministries, made holiday greeting cards at Viste, and visited with the elderly residents at Hawthorne Inn. Lighthouse Ministries provided a guided tour and many hands on projects, including helping with the canned food drive and organizing donations. After a busy morning at Lighthouse, we had an opportunity to show our creative talents by making Holiday cards at Viste. It was very gratifying to know our heartwarming greeting cards will brighten the holidays for the sheltered elderly folks served by Viste programs. Then it was on to Hawthorne Inn, for a fun ending to a productive day. It was so enjoyable for all of us to talk with the elderly residents and hear their stories as they reminisced about their lives. Former Lakeland Assistant Police Chief, Debra Henson, also joined in the fun and brought along her very friendly golden retriever, Jake, who is also a licensed therapy dog…the residents loved him! The entire room joined in singing Christmas Carols, led by Richard and Eugene playing the piano. We will all remember Volunteer Day with fond memories and we look forwarding to sharing our experiences with future UthMpact members.

The UthMpact Leadership Program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk Coalition, UthMpact Coalition, and key business partners, is designed to help teens develop crucial leadership skills. The 30 student participants have been nominated by their high school principals. The teens will meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. Future theme days include: Education Leadership Day (January 25); Government Leadership Day (February 22); Business Leadership Day (March 28); and Leadership Graduation (April 25).

Applications are currently being accepted for Class II of the Leadership Program. If teens are interested in applying, they should contact their school principal or Veronica Awai, UthMpact Coalition Coordinator, at (863) 802-0777, or by e-mail at: veronica@uthmpact.com. You may also find UthMpact on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UthMpact.

Results of a December 2011 Alcohol Compliance Check in the Haines City, FL Area

The StandUP Polk Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk and the Haines City Police Department would like to share the results of a recent Compliance Check held to combat the illegal sale of alcohol to minors. Compliance checks are conducted periodically throughout our community to verify that retail establishments are following the law by not selling to minors, and checking proper identification to verify legal age.

Haines City Police Department Community Policing Officers and Agents within the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Bureau were assisted by high school Police Explorer volunteers in a compliance check of 30 establishments within the city limits of Haines City, FL, held on Friday, December 16, 2011.

Of the 30 retail establishments checked in this operation, 27 of the businesses were found to be in compliance with the Florida State Statutes as follows:

1. Citgo Gas Station, 1202 Polk City Road – No Sale
2. Liquor 5, 38 Maxcy Plaza - No Sale
3. CVS, 35799 Highway 27 North - No Sale
4. La Placita Mexico, 201 North 10th Street - No Sale
5. Wal-Mart, 36205 Highway 27 North - No Sale
6. Dollar General, 1391 Southern Dunes Blvd - No Sale
7. Winn Dixie, 36019 Highway 27 - No Sale
8. Publix, 617 West Highway 17-92 - No Sale
9. City Foods, 21 North 7th Street - No Sale
10. Shell Gas Station, 1199 Powerline Road - No Sale.
11. La Tapatia, 1102 North Highway 17-92 - No Sale
12. BP Gas Station, 501 Highway 17-92 North - No Sale
13. Rodriguez Fashion, 1100 Highway 17-92 North - No Sale
14. BP Gas Station, 95 Highway 17-92 West - No Sale
15. El Zocalo, 452 Highway 17-92 North - No Sale.
16. QP Gas Station, 2670 North Highway 17-92 - No Sale
17. Save-A-Lot, 1687 East Hinson Avenue - No Sale
18. Family Discount Beverage, 808 Ingraham Avenue - No Sale
19. Citgo, 2998 West 17-92 - No Sale
20. Sunoco, 3104 East Hinson Avenue - No Sale
21. El Ranchero, 2555 Highway 17-92 North - No Sale
22. CVS, 1701 East Hinson Avenue - No Sale
23. ABC Liquor Store, 701 West Highway 17-92 - No Sale
24. Kangaroo, 1013 East Hinson Avenue - No Sale
25. Publix Liquor Store, 39877 Highway 27 - No Sale
26. Walgreen’s Pharmacy, 40079 Highway 27 - No Sale
27. CVS, 39902 Highway 27 - No Sale

The 3 stores found NOT in compliance were:

7-11 Store, 38409 Highway 27, Haines City
First Choice Pharmacy, 401 East Hinson Avenue, Haines City
Sunoco SuperMart, 35855 US Highway 27, Haines City

The StandUP Polk Coalition and the Haines City Police Department commend and appreciate the majority of local retail outlets that are doing their part to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors.

Chief of Police, Richard H. Sloan, had this to say about the initiative, “This is an effective way to educate the local community and business owners that the Haines City Police Department will not tolerate the illegal sale of alcohol to minors.”

Free Tobacco Cessation Program Starts January 5, 2012

If you’ve resolved to make 2012 the year that you stamp out your smoking habit and enjoy the rest of your life smoke-free, support is just a phone call away!

InnerAct Alliance is proud to partner with Florida Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Network and Florida Department of Health to offer Polk County residents a Free Quit Smoking Now Tobacco Cessation program.

Quitting smoking is one of the healthiest lifestyle changes a person can make, but it can also be difficult to accomplish without support. The 5-week program, developed by ex-smokers for those who want to become ex-smokers themselves, runs from January 5 – February 2, 2012. Weekly meetings will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at tba church, 1815 East CR-540A, in Lakeland.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) patches will also available to participants free of charge.

For information about the Quit Smoking Now program or to register for the January 5th class, please call 1-877-252-6094.

UthMpact Service Leadership Day on November 30, 2011

The next UthMpact Leadership Day will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. The energetic group of high school students will embark on an action-filled day focused on service leadership and the positive impact of volunteerism in our community.

UthMpact Service Leadership Day will begin bright and early at 8:00 a.m. The teens will meet with administrators, tour the facilities, and serve as volunteers at local non-profit agencies including Lighthouse Ministries and Viste in Lakeland. Students will also bring along a book or canned goods to donate.

The UthMpact Leadership Program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk Coalition, and key business partners, is designed to help teens develop crucial leadership skills. The 30 student participants have been nominated by their high school principals. The teens will have a unique opportunity to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. Future theme days include: Education Leadership Day (January 25); Government Leadership Day (February 22); Business Leadership Day (March 28); and Leadership Graduation (April 25th).

For additional information about the UthMpact leadership program, please contact Veronica Awai, UthMpact Coalition Coordinator, at (863) 802-0777, or via e-mail at: veronica@uthmpact.com. Find UthMpact on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UthMpact.

UthMpact Leadership "Law Enforcement & Emergency Services Day" Recap

Polk County high school students have been nominated by their school principals to participate in an exciting new UthMpact Leadership Program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk Coalition, and key community leaders, to help teens develop crucial leadership skills. The Leadership Program agenda includes 6 days from September 2011 through March 2012, on which the 30 participating youth leaders representing 11 different Polk County high schools will travel throughout the county to experience the inner workings of local government, health care, education, and law enforcement. The teens will meet with community leaders, discuss challenges, and recommend solutions for issues that face us now and in the future.

The second UthMpact Leadership Day was held on October 26, 2011 as the students were treated to a unique behind the scenes look at the inner workings of our city and county’s law enforcement and emergency services operations.

Two of the teen representatives who participated in UthMpact Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Leadership Day, Taylor Jones, a junior at Lake Gibson High School; and Jessica Emerson, a senior at Lake Gibson High School; shared the highlights of their action-filled day as follows:

Twenty-eight of us participated in UthMpact Leadership’s Law Enforcement & Emergency Services Day, where we were able to experience some of the activities performed by local police, sheriff’s office, and safety professionals who serve and protect our community.
First, we toured the Telecommunications area and Forensics Lab at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Winter Haven. This was one of the highlights of our day because we were able to test finger printing equipment and view some actual crime scenes. From there, it was on to the Lakeland Police Department where we visited different service units in the building, along with the book-in area. One of the highlights of our time spent at LPD was an awesome demonstration from the K-9 and SWAT units.

Our next stop was at the Polk Central County Jail in Bartow for lunch and a tour of a jail pod unit. We visited the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Training Center and shooting range where local law enforcement train to use various weapons. Then we met at the Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office and saw the rooms used for autopsies and body storage. Touring the morgue and jail facilities had a big impact on our group...the reality of it made us all realize where we don’t want to end up! Winter Haven Fire Department was the last stop to learn about the various components of the fire truck. In all, it was quite interesting to learn about all of the aspects of our county’s law enforcement and emergency services departments!

Other theme days for future months include: Volunteer Leadership Day (November 30); Education Leadership Day (January 25); Government Leadership Day (February 22); Business Leadership Day (March 28); and Leadership Graduation (April 25th). At the end of each Leadership Day, the UthMpact teens gather for a General Meeting, beginning at 5:30 pm, at the Sheriff’s Office, located at 1819 Jim Keene Blvd., in Winter Haven. The meeting is open to any middle or high school student who may be interested in attending.