The 4-1-1 on Why & How to Talk to Kids About Alcohol

 

Alcohol is the most commonly-used and misused drug among youth. Some report taking their first drink at age 10 or younger. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents begin talking to children about alcohol at age 9 to establish a foundation for healthy habits and influence ideas about alcohol early instead of trying to change impressions later. It's best to connect with kids often through natural conversations that will evolve as your child gets older.

Prevention experts at the Partnership to End Addiction share answers to frequently-asked questions from parents and impart tips on how to talk to children about alcohol and other drugs at every age from pre-school to young adult.

Visit the Partnership to End Addiction:

https://drugfree.org/article/prevention-tips-for-every-age/ 

Annual Prevention Summit This Thursday, April 17

 

Join InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition at the Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit this Thursday, April 17, from 8:00am to 4:00pm at the W.H. Stuart Center in Bartow, to learn about important issues facing our community. It is an 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, and other topical issues. Admission is $25+ and includes a light breakfast and lunch. 

Registration

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

During 2025, InnerAct Alliance is celebrating its 40th Anniversary of serving the community with science-based education programs that increase protective factors and decrease risk factors for nearly 15,000 students, as well as outreach to over 100,000 citizens through informative presentations, a premier youth leadership program, teen-driven social norms marketing, and family-oriented awareness events. 

The 40th Anniversary celebration will officially kick off at the Prevention Summit with a special Anniversary cake cutting during lunch attended by local community leaders. All attendees at the Prevention Summit will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a piece of beautiful Ruby jewelry in celebration of InnerAct Alliance's Ruby Anniversary!

For information, please call IAA at (863) 802-0777.

Monday Must-Haves

 

Take a minute to ask yourself "What do I need today?" To start the week, most of us look for optimism and patience, but sometimes we may need ALL of these suggestions in the graphic from our friends @ Positively Present.

What helps is trying to maintain a positive daily routine, which is both an investment in yourself and an effort to help us better serve the needs of our families, work responsibilities, and communities. It provides a way to help us continue moving forward and creates momentum to carry us through the days that can be challenging.

Keep in mind 3 Daily Must-Dos to keep yourself ready for almost anything the day brings your way:

*Stay Hydrated - if you need your morning coffee, by all means, enjoy it!  But, be sure to also drink lots of water throughout the day. Fill up your favorite cup or tumbler of H20 and your body will thank you! 🥃

*Exercise - if you can get to the gym, great...if not, walk the dog before you leave the house. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Or just take a minute to take a deep breath before the busy day begins! The key is to start your day with some kind of physical activity to help wake you up fully and stay focused.💪

*Give Yourself a Break! - be productive, but also build in a few breaks throughout the day. If you have to set a timer, do it. Resting for a few minutes allows you to break down big tasks into more manageable portions. You'll still get things done but you'll find that you will do so without becoming mentally fatigued.😅

Wishing us all a manageable, not manic Monday! 😊

Congratulations to Our UthMpact Leadership Class XIV Graduates

 

UthMpact hosted its graduation ceremony for high school student leaders who successfully completed the 2024-2025 UthMpact Leadership Class XIV program on April 8 at Bartow Civic Center. Nearly 510 students representing every high school in the county have been enriched by being a member of the Leadership Program, which is spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk, UthMpact, and key business and community partners to assist teens in developing crucial leadership skills.

Participants complete a retreat and personality training and travel throughout the county on monthly Leadership Days to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and local law enforcement. Students participate in dozens of unique events and volunteer opportunities.

Each year, two seniors who embody the mission and leadership qualities of UthMpact were awarded $500 scholarships. Congratulations to the 2025 UthMpact Scholarship recipients Katie Narramore and Nick Barrios!

Candidates for the 2025 Leadership Class XV have been chosen based on their scholastic and leadership experience and their names will be announced soon. For more information about UthMpact, contact Samantha Barwig at 802-0777.

DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day – Saturday, April 26

 

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join the Drug Enforcement Administration  and its national and community partners for the 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Medicine stored in home cabinets is highly susceptible to abuse. Discarding medication by flushing or throwing it in the trash also creates potential health and safety hazards. This event helps educate about the potential for misuse and offers a responsible means of disposal. 

Our community's Prescription Drug Take Back Day includes the following Polk County locations for citizens to turn in Human and Pet prescription and over-the-counter medications (in liquid and solid form) as well as vaping pens and e-cigarette devices (batteries removed). Please place medication in a clear, air-tight plastic bag.

*Bartow Police Dept. - 450 N. Broadway Ave.
*Haines City Police Dept. - 35400 Hwy 27
*Lakeland Police Dept. - 219 N. Massachusetts Ave.
*Lake Alfred Police Dept. - 190 N. Seminole Ave.
*Lake Hamilton Police Dept. - 100 Smith Ave.
*Lake Wales Police Dept. - 133 E. Tillman Ave.
*Winter Haven Police Dept. - 125 N. Lake Silver Dr. NW 

Medication may also be taken to the county's permanent drop sites, funded by GiveWell Community Foundation, at the 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). Permanent drop boxes can only accept medication in sold form (no liquids or syringes). 

Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in over 29,000 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration. StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse. For more information on the local Prescription Drug Take Back event, please contact Angie Ellison, InnerAct Alliance Executive Director and StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777. 

IAA Out & About in Our Community

 

InnerAct Alliance's prevention team enjoys participating in special events to meet community members and share how our agency's free prevention education programs/services can positively impact the Lakeland and Polk County areas.

Last week, our team was busy participating in many wonderful Spring events. IAA's Charlie and Amy joined the fun at the Communities Outreach Expo on Friday morning, April 4 in Auburndale to offer helpful information and fun giveaways for participants. The previous day, our humane educator Michelle took part in the PACE Family Resource Fair and enjoyed connecting with children and families.👪

It was also a busy Saturday, April 5 with executive director Angie Ellison and staff Susan and Cindy on hand for the Spring Polk Together Conference to offer parents/adults an opportunity to tour our Own The Upside Trailer and learn about common items found in a typical teen's bedroom that may signal potential involvement in drugs and other risky behaviors. Other staff assisted UthMpact teens for the final student shopping day at the Project Prom Store in Lakeland Square Mall to help teens find fabulous formal wear at no cost when they sign a pledge to celebrate prom and graduation alcohol and substance-free.👗🤵 Finally, Charlie and Cindy were happy to join Heartland for Children at Crystal Lake Elementary's Annual Spring Fling and Easter Egg Hunt!🥚🐰

Feel free to invite the IAA Outreach Team to your upcoming community event to share prevention tools and spread awareness for safer, healthier communities. Call for information (863) 802-0777.

Why Alcohol is One of the Deadliest Drugs

 

Alcohol is the most socially acceptable and easily accessible drug on the market. What's worse is that many believe drinking is not as dangerous as other drug use but science and statistics consistently prove otherwise. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports alcohol causes 88,000 deaths each year, making it the 3rd leading preventable cause of death in the U.S.

Alcohol is different than other illicit substances that we know can cause overdose deaths. It is known to kill slowly by deteriorating the body - alcohol contributes to many deadly diseases including 7 forms of cancer, weakening of vital organs like the heart and liver, and adversely affects brain function.

Drinking is not only harmful for individuals, it also has a negative impact on society causing vehicle accidents, DUI's, injuries, violence, sexual assault, and property destruction. So, next time you hear someone trying to justify drinking, remember just how deadly alcohol can be!

If you or someone you love has a drinking problem, help is available. Learning about different options to address alcohol problems can be an important first step. Contact your medical provider, health insurance, local health department, or employee assistance program. 

To find research-based information on drinking and its impact on health, visit NIAAA at:

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics-a-to-z