Annual Prevention Summit Highlights

 

Own the Upside, in partnership with StandUP Polk, UthMpact Polk, InnerAct Alliance, and the Drug Free America Foundation, proudly presented the first Own the Upside Prevention Summit held in Polk County since the COVID-19 pandemic on February 21, 2023, at the W.H. Stuart Conference Center in Bartow.

Dr. Dennis Embry, a foremost expert in the science behind prevention and behavioral health, headlined this full-day informational event to share a realistic view of youth culture, emerging drug trends, and other topical prevention issues. Other guest speakers, Carlton Hall, Kadian Parchment, and Amy Ronshausen, shared strategies to help our community take a stand in the war on drugs not only in Polk County but across the nation. 

Own The Upside was initiated by the Drug Free Coalition partnership of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties, Florida and founded on the Positive Community Norms Theory. Science shows us that the discouraging news we hear in media and society may tend to make us forget that there are encouraging positives to celebrate what we refer to as the “Upside.” Data collected annually via the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) reports that most kids don’t engage in risky behaviors. Attitudes about abuse are shaped well before children reach adulthood. Own The Upside believes we can impact children’s lives now by supporting and investing in prevention programs and services that reduce access, identify risky behaviors, change community attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, and empower youth to make positive healthy choices. 

Thanks to presenters, attendees and caterers Gaskins BBQ & Lobster.  

 

   

UthMpact Leadership In Action!

 

UthMpact Leadership Class XII enjoyed a busy Planning Day on Wednesday, February 1 that challenged their thinking and learning skills. Time was allotted for the students to work on their Leadership Graduation presentations to ready them for presentation to family and community members in April. The Planning Day Agenda continued with a fun opportunity for the teen leaders to put their sleuthing skills to work on a Scavenger Hunt at the Bartow History Museum where they learned about interesting facts and key events in history.

Skill building exercises continued in an Escape Room adventure that required calculating college tuition costs, budgeting to handle expenses, learning to sew a button on, and practicing to arrange a proper dinner place setting. Overall, the UthMpact Team enjoyed an action-packed and efficient Leadership Planning Day!

On Wednesday, March 1, UthMpact Teen Leaders took to the road to experience some of the inner workings of Lakeland Government. First stop on the spring tour was Noah’s Ark of Central Florida, where the group had an opportunity to learn about this community that provides housing and lifestyle options to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live an independent lifestyle. 

Next stop was Lakeland City Hall where the youth leaders met with City Manager, Shawn Sherrouse. Kelly Recreation staff came by to lead a welcomed stretch break before Kevin Cook, Lakeland's Director of Communications, shared an informative overview of Lakeland's storied past. Travels continued with a stop at Lakeland Electric for a cool behind the scenes tour of the utility center's call center and other service departments. 

No better way to wrap up the afternoon than by catching a Spring Training Game that saw the home team Detroit Tigers defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. 

 

Get the 4-1-1 on Project Prom

 

InnerAct Alliance and youth coalition, UthMpact, are happy to offer the 11th year of Project Prom to provide free formal wear to deserving high school students and create awareness of the risky behaviors that may occur during prom and graduation. 

Our next Project Prom Student Shopping Day will take place this Saturday, March 18, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Project Prom Store located at the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 US Highway 98N in Lakeland (use entrance to right of Dillards). Two more shopping days will follow on Saturdays April 1 and April 15.

Students with a Polk ID may sign a pledge promising to celebrate alcohol and substance-free and receive their prom formal wear for FREE! 

Read over our Project Prom FAQ to be sure you have all the info you need!

Children Under 5 Victims of Drug Fatalities – Lock Your Meds!

 

Our nation’s opioid epidemic is having deadly consequences for children. A new study in The Journal of Pediatrics shows opioids are the most common substance leading to fatal poisonings among young children. Researchers say between 2005-2018, more than 700 children under the age of five died of a drug-related death – some of the 731 deaths were related to use of over-the-counter medications, the majority being opioids. The study did not state specifically how children gained access to the drugs but it was noted that more than 40% were accidental overdoses.

Many cases of accidental poisonings and prescription drug abuse are traced to the home medicine cabinets of family and friends. While you are setting your clocks ahead to Daylight Savings Time this weekend, please also plan a time to do some spring cleaning in your family’s medicine cabinets to dispose of unused or expired medications - and remember to always keep them locked for safety. 

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies will join The Drug Enforcement Administration to provide our community with an opportunity to dispose of unwanted medications in a safe manner on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 22, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at locations throughout Polk County. Participating drop-off locations will be confirmed soon. Medications may also be brought to our county’s permanent drop sites at police department locations in: Auburndale (weekdays 8-5); Haines City (weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (weekdays 8-5). Only solids are accepted in permanent drop boxes (no liquids or syringes). To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet. 

For more information, please visit the StandUP Polk website https://www.standuppolk.org, find us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SUPCoalition, or call (863) 802-0777.

Celebrating International Women’s Day – March 8, 2023

 

Today is International Women's Day! First celebrated over a century ago, the day is embraced globally to champion the many social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women who have positively impacted the world as we know it today. This year's theme of "Embrace Equity" encourages the continued quest for a gender equal world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

While we honor and appreciate the work of heroines both past and present, let's take a moment today to thank the special women who truly make a positive difference in our own lives each day - our moms, teachers, neighbors, friends, and co-workers including the wonderful ladies who work at InnerAct Alliance and serve on our board of directors in support of prevention of substance abuse!

 

Put a Spring in Your Step with March Self-Care!

 

When it comes to mental health, research suggests that self-care promotes positive health outcomes, such as fostering resilience, living longer, and becoming better equipped to manage stress. Even small acts of self-care added to our daily lives can play a big role in taking good care of our minds, bodies, and souls. It helps to reinforce the belief that our needs are valid and should be a priority.

In our quest to encourage everyone to practice regular self-care and take time to do things to help you live well, we are happy to share this cute graphic from @Positively Present reminding us of some simple ways to incorporate proactive self-care activities in our lives each day.

Hope you enjoy these great reminders to...allow our feelings, notice little beauty around us, spend time with our furry friends, be proud of progress, and especially during the days leading up to St. Patrick's Day - make our own luck! 🍀

Project Prom Store Grand Opening on Saturday, March 4th at Lakeland Square Mall

 

InnerAct Alliance and our youth coalition, UthMpact, are proud to present the 11th year of the Project Prom effort to provide free formal wear to deserving high school students and educate about risky behaviors that may occur during prom and graduation time. 

UthMpact Teen Leaders will host a Project Prom Store Grand Opening with a ribbon cutting on Saturday morning, March 4 at the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. Highway 98 N in Lakeland (use entrance to right of Dillards). The store will open for the first Student Shopping Day at 11:00 a.m. Additional shopping days are scheduled for Saturdays: March 18, April 1, and April 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students with a Polk School ID may sign a pledge promising to celebrate alcohol and substance-free and receive complimentary dresses, suits, and accessories! 

Since 2013, over 5,250 prom ensembles have been provided at no cost to young women and men in Polk County. The community may support the effort by donating gently used dresses, shoes, men’s suits, and accessories. Especially needed are women’s plus size dresses (18+) and men’s small suits, dress pants (waist 30-36) and shirts (all sizes). Formal wear donations may be dropped off at the Project Prom Store on shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays).

 For more information, please visit www.uthmpact.org, www.projectprompolk.com, or call (863) 802-0777.