April is Alcohol Awareness Month

 

April is Alcohol Awareness Month - a time to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol use and misuse. It offers a timely reminder that it is never too early to talk to your children about alcohol and other drugs. Fact is that children as young as 9-years-old may already view alcohol in a positive way. The older kids get, the more likely they are to drink. About 10% OF 12-year-olds say they have tried alcohol; by age 15, that number increases to 50%. By the time they are seniors in high school, almost 70% will have tried alcohol (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA).

Parents and caregivers have a significant influence on their children's decisions to experiment with alcohol and other drugs - it begins by talking. Regular open conversations make it easier to transition to more serious conversations when needed. Take advantage of everyday opportunities to connect, like talking in the car, during dinner, or while watching TV and playing games. Be sure not to do all the talking, give your child the opportunity to ask questions and listen to what they say. Whether or not your child has tried alcohol or drinks regularly, knowing the facts can help them avoid succumbing to peer pressure since they will feel more confident making informed decisions after considering all the facts.

The Good News is that Most Polk Teens Do Not Drink - while research shows that underage drinking rates are declining. It is still important for teens to know how alcohol affects their health, how to identify signs of a problem, and where to get help. According to statistics collected among 6-12 grade students in Polk County annually, 90% DO NOT USE ALCOHOL (Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, FYSAS 2024). Share this with your teen because when they realize that they are among the majority that do make healthy choices, they may feel empowered to avoid peer pressure and refrain from partaking in risky behaviors, such as drinking.

Free Educational Programs Available - InnerAct Alliance and our coalition partners, StandUP Polk and UthMpact, are committed to educating youth and adults about the dangers of alcohol and substance use. Support local prevention efforts by inviting a representative from InnerAct Alliance to share a free educational program with your school, PTA, community organization, church, or business. Call 802-0777 and visit: https://www.inneractalliance.org/

More helpful resources for parents/caregivers are a click away:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA)

https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/learn/alcohol?

Partnership to End Addiction

https://drugfree.org/article/why-teens-drink-and-experiment-with-drugs/

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

https://niaaaforteens.niaaa.nih.gov/

Stress Overload at the Root of Teen Substance Misuse

 

Stress and social pressures are often reported by teens as the main reasons why they may turn to alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use. School demands, negative thoughts or feelings about themselves, peer or family issues, taking on too much, or having too high expectations can result in teens experiencing stress overload. 

As parents and caregivers, we can play a positive role in helping our teens learn to manage stress in healthier ways:

*Monitor how stress may affect your child's health, behavior, thoughts, and feelings

*Listen carefully to them and watch for signs of overload

*Learn and model positive stress management skills

*Support involvement in sports and other pro-social activities

*Encourage healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and good sleep routines

*Teach relaxation techniques like deep breathing and muscle relaxing activities

*Break large tasks into small, attainable goals

*Show how to challenge negative thoughts with neutral and positive thoughts

*Take frequent breaks to listen to relaxing music, draw, read, or journal

Teens can benefit by practicing "relaxation responses" that include deep breathing and medication to lower heart rate and/or confide in a trusted adult or friend to talk about their feelings - these are 2 healthy ways to deal with stress triggers.

Read: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/the-link-between-teen-anxiety-and-substance-abuse

Last Chance to Shop for Free Prom Attire Tomorrow, Saturday April 5

 

Tomorrow - Saturday, April 5 - is Project Prom's last Student Shopping Day of the spring season. If you are still in need of a gorgeous dress, spectacular suit, dancing shoes, or the perfect accessories, join us at the Project Prom Store at Lakeland Square Mall tomorrow between 11:00am and 4:00pm. Bring your Polk School ID, sign a pledge to celebrate alcohol and drug free, and receive your prom wear at no cost!

Project Prom welcomes donations of gently used dresses, shoes, men's suits, and accessories. Especially needed are women's dresses in sizes XS (0-3) and Plus Sizes (18+), as well as men's dress pants (waist 30-36) and dress shirts in all sizes. Formal wear donations may be dropped off at the Project Prom Store tomorrow (Saturday 4/5) or at the InnerAct Alliance office, located at 621 S. Florida Ave. in Lakeland, from 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays. Thank you for your support! 👗🤵

Hidden Dangers of Party Drugs: Use of Synthetic Cathinone Stimulant, N,N-Dimethylpentylone, on the Rise

 

Prevention starts with awareness and awareness starts with open conversations with our kids. According to prevention partners at Informed Families, some dangerous party drugs are being disguised as something else and putting young people at serious risk. 

A synthetic stimulant called N,N-Dimethylpentylone (NPS) is being sold as designer drug MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, but it’s far more harmful that people realize.

A recent news article in Jacksonville, FL describes the availability of the psychoactive substance NPS on the illicit drug market of Northeast Florida. While users may think they are buying cocaine or ecstasy in some cases, they may actually be getting N,N-Dimethylpentylone, which may cause users to experience euphoria and increased energy, but harmful side effects may include hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, hallucinations, dehydration, loss of consciousness, and death.

Experts like Dr. Bruce Goldberger from the University of Florida have linked this drug to violent behavior, extreme paranoia, and even fatal overdoses. 

The numbers tell a scary story:

*In 2022, Florida saw 370 deaths caused by cathinones (the drug family that includes NPA)

*In 2023, that number almost doubled to 642 deaths, with cathinones found in a total of 917 cases 

*Use of these synthetic drugs jumped by 67% and deaths increased by more than 73% in just one year

These numbers are not just statistics - they represent real lives lost, real families devastated, and a growing danger for young people who may not even realize the risk they are taking.

Read: https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/07/11/newest-drug-to-hits-the-streets-makes-its-way-to-northeast-florida-nightclubs-bars/

Join Us to Stay Informed: Own the Upside Prevention Summit: April 17

 

Register Today!

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

Addiction Can Happen to Anyone

 

Addiction can happen to anyone and it is a serious medical condition. Drugs change the brain's structure and how it works, which is why it is considered a brain disease. Addiction can take people to dark places - and delusional thinking, caused by chemical changes in the brain, can keep them there.

Brain-imaging studies on people addicted to drugs show physical changes in areas of the brain that are critical for judgment, decision-making, learning, memory, and behavior control. Scientists believe these changes affect the way the brain works and may help explain the many compulsive and destructive behaviors of someone who has a substance use disorder.

You Can Be Part of the Solution! Prevention and early intervention strategies can reduce the negative impact of substance use and mental disorders. When parents create supportive, nurturing environments, children learn to make better decisions. Foster strong, open relationships and talk to your kids about addiction being a disease. Help them learn the risks of using alcohol and other drugs. Also, encourage friends and loved ones who may have a substance use problem to seek help. All of this helps to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder - it can truly save lives. 

An excellent resource in our community is the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN), which supports prevention coalitions and partners through a 14-county network. Prevention partners provide information, resources, and coordinate efforts to help prevent substance abuse addiction. 

InnerAct Alliance is proud to serve as a prevention partner in Polk County, but if you live outside of Polk, CFBHN can help locate local prevention programs and partners in our community with their listing of services by county:

https://www.cfbhn.org/prevention-partners/

Did You Know Fact: Underage Drinking

 

Did You Know that 23% of high school teens drank alcohol in the past 30 days and 11% binge drank? Underage drinking causes 3,900+ deaths each year.

And a 5% increase in binge drinking among adults in a community is associated with a 12% increase in the chance of underage drinking. 

Youth drinking habits are greatly influenced by adults at home and in their community. Remember that prevention starts with us!