Show the Love By Talking to Kids About Alcohol & Other Drugs

 

February is known as the month of LOVE and what  better way of showing your children that you love them than by arming them with knowledge?! 

Parents can help protect kids against alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by giving them the facts they need before they find themselves in risky situations. Knowing the facts can make kids less likely to experiment with drugs or to rely on friends for answers. Your views on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs can strongly affect how they think and guide them toward making healthy choices. 

Our prevention partners at SAMHSA offer the "Talk. They Hear You." campaign to outline some of the reasons why youth may turn to alcohol or other drugs and offer helpful tips parents and caregivers can use to help and support them. Use these 5 Goals when talking to your kids about alcohol and other harmful substances:

Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse - over 80% of young people age 10-18 say parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. Send a clear and strong message that you disapprove of underage drinking and misuse of other drugs.

Show you care about your child's health, wellness, and success - young people are more likely to listen when they know you're on their side. Reinforce why you don't want your child to drink or use drugs - you want them to be happy and safe. The conversation will go a lot better if you're open and you show concern.

Show you're a good source of information - you want your child to make informed decisions about alcohol and other drugs with reliable information about their dangers. Establish yourself as a trustworthy source of information.

Show you're paying attention and you'll discourage risky behaviors - know what your child is up to, as young people are more likely to drink or use other drugs if they think no one will notice. Do this in a subtle way, without prying.

Build your child's skills and strategies for avoiding underage drinking and drug use - even if you don't think you child wants to drink or try other drugs, peer pressure can be a powerful thing. Having a plan to avoid alcohol and drug use can help children make better choices. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they'll say, "no thanks." 

For helpful information and materials to help you start the conversation with your children, visit: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you

Registration is Now Open for the Annual Prevention Summit on April 17

 

InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition are proud to present the Annual Own the Upside Prevention Summit on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the W.H. Stuart Center in Bartow to discuss important issues facing our community.

The Annual Prevention Summit presents an exceptional opportunity for teachers, school resource officers, administrators, counselors, social workers, and prevention specialists to come together and share up-to-date information with a realistic view of current youth culture, emerging drug trends, social media and its connection to risky behaviors, and other topical issues. Admission is $28.52 and includes a light breakfast and lunch.

Register

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

For updates on guest speakers and prevention topics 

https://www.inneractalliance.org

Project Prom Offers Free Formalwear for Making Smart Choices

 

Our thanks to Lakeland City Commissioner, Stephanie Madden, for making a special visit to the Project Prom Store for a Ribbon Cutting to kick off our first spring Student Shopping Day this past weekend on Saturday, February 8. Students and families were excited to shop for dresses, suits, and accessories and received them at no cost in exchange for pledging to celebrate alcohol- and drug-free during prom and graduation seasons.

Remaining Spring Shopping Days will take place on Saturdays: February 22, March 8, March 29, and April 5 - from 11am to 4pm - at the Project Prom Store located at Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 US Hwy 98N in Lakeland (use entrance to the right of Dillards).

Tune into FOX 13's evening news on February 20 to see a special Project Prom segment. Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectPromofPolk

Celebrating Black History Month During February

 

During February, we honor Black History Month across the United States to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black and African Americans past and present and learn more about diverse communities, cultures, and people.

Black History Month started with the past and the heroes who had the courage to stand up for what they believed in. Its important message continues when we make an effort to learn more about our neighbors and celebrate inclusion by attending some of the many public events that bring in music, speakers, and activities in our community. During this month, let's deepen our understanding and commitment to freedom and equality as we continue to work to end racism in all forms. ❤

Thanks to April and our friends at Lakeland Mom for sharing a great list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Polk County this month including the City of Lakeland's Black History Festival in Jackson Park this coming Saturday, February 15, from 10am to 2pm. The special event features artisan vendors, food trucks, kids activities, and more. On the mobile stage, there will be entertainment from dance to the spoken word. With support from the Lakeland History & Culture Center and Coleman-Bush Boosters, the City is excited to share a dynamic display and interactive touchscreen experience to learn about pioneers in Lakeland's Black community. It is a free event open to the public that features something fun for all ages.

More fun and entertainment in & around Lakeland and Polk County this month: 

https://lakelandmom.com/things-to-do-in-february/?utm_content=link_id&utm_medium=email&utm_source=flodesk

This Weekend, Put Your Phone Down and Try Some of These Fun Activities...

 

Love this timely message from our friends at @Positively Present that coordinates well with the Phone-Free February Challenge shared earlier this week.📱We know it’s not easy to disconnect with your phone, but it is more important to connect with the reality happening in real time around you. Fun suggestions in the colorful graphic above make for a great incentive to try one this weekend...take a walk, go on an adventure, read a book, or have a dance party! 

Football fans, it’s also Super Bowl LIX Weekend 🏈- a perfect opportunity for digital detox! Gather with friends to watch the big game – everyone can bring a favorite game-time food or snack to share. Collect phones at the door so everyone can connect through conversation and fanfare. 

If the big game is not your thing, catch the debut of iconic Super Bowl commercial ads and the halftime performance in between plays! People will be talking about the ads, special effects, and celebrity cameos on Monday morning. Being mindful of the buzz, you’ll gain cool feedback about impressions of the big ads and performances. Don’t forget to watch everyone’s favorite cuteness overload on the Puppy Bowl! 

Have a fun weekend that prioritizes real time over screen time so everyone wins!

Project Prom Store Ribbon Cutting This Saturday, February 8

 

InnerAct Alliance and UthMpact are proud to continue the Project Prom effort, now in its 13th year, to provide free formal wear to deserving high school students and educate youth and parents about risky behaviors that may occur during prom and graduation time. Students with a Polk County HS ID can sign a pledge to celebrate alcohol- and drug-free and receive their dresses and suits at no cost!

Lakeland City Commission, Stephanie Madden, will be on hand for a special Ribbon Cutting on Saturday morning, February 8, at the Project Prom Store at the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. Hwy 98 North in Lakeland (use entrance to the right of Dillards). The store will open for the first Student Shopping Day at 11:00 am. Additional Student Shopping Days will take place on Saturdays: February 22, March 8, March 29, and April 5, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. 

Since 2023, over 5,500 prom ensembles have been provided at no cost to teens in Polk County. Community members may support the effort by donating gently used dresses, men's suits, shoes, and accessories. Especially needed are women's dresses in sizes XS (0-3) and plus sizes (18+) and men's suits in smaller sizes, dress pants (waist 30-36), and dress shirts (all sizes). Donations may be dropped off at the Project Prom Store on shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office (8:30am - 4:30pm weekdays) at 621 S. Florida Ave., in Lakeland.

UthMpact's goal is to promote a safe and fun Prom Night. For info, call Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777, visit our  website www.inneractalliance.org, or find us on Facebook at Project Prom of Polk County, Florida at https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=project%20prom%20of%20polk%20county%2C%20florida    

Global Challenge: Try Phone-Free February to Reduce Screen Time

 

It's no secret that smartphone use in the U.S. has exploded over the past decade - the vast majority of Americans own a smartphone. We all know how easily it can lead to increasing amounts of time spent texting family/friends, posting, scrolling through social media, or playing games - all of which cause the brain to release dopamine, a neurochemical that makes us feel pleasure. Over time, the brain can build up tolerance to dopamine so we tend to use our phones longer to feel the same amount of pleasure.

In addition to fueling an "addiction" to your phone, emerging research shows that more screen time is associated with higher levels of obesity, sleep problems, and mental health issues. Psychologists are treating an increasing number of people who are addicted to their devices. Experts say that cutting back on your phone use by just an hour a day can have significant health benefits. 

Despite its name "Phone-Free February", this effort does not actually ask participants to be completely phone-free. Instead, the nonprofit campaign run under the Global Solidarity Foundation co-creator Jacob Warn said the goal is for people to reduce their overall smartphone usage simply "to get you to question what you need your phone for."

If you want to make an effort to be less tied to your phone, here are some helpful tips on how to reduce your screen time this month.

*Make Your Phone Boring - disable all push notifications for nonessential apps or delete them completely. You can also try changing your phone's color filter to grayscale, reduce motion on animations, and turn off auto-play for videos.

*Set Screen-Free Breaks - decrease exposure to blue light from your phone screen which is known to stimulate the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. Excess cortisol can increase stress/anxiety that makes us want to use our phones more. Start with a 15-minute screen break, then gradually increase break time until you can go extended periods of time without your phone.

*Plan Healthier Pleasurable Activities - stimulate dopamine replacement therapy by leaning into healthier screen-free and pleasurable activities to redirect focus from your phone - take a walk outside, read, or doodle. These activities will help occupy your time and calm your brain.

*Make Bedroom a Phone-Free Zone - smartphone use close to bedtime can be detrimental for sleep, so remove your phone from the room at least an hour before bed and use a regular alarm clock instead of relying on your phone. 

*Practice Mindfulness - be more mindful about your phone use so that before you pick up your phone, decide what you will do and how long you plan to use it for. Don't multi-task.

*Reach Out to Family & Friends - let others know you plan to reduce your online availability so you don't fee pressured to respond right away. Reaching out for support in reducing phone use or enlisting a phone-free February buddy can increase your chances of success.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/01/29/phone-free-february-screentime-reduce/?