Help Youth Celebrate Safe & Substance Free

 

This is a special time of year as we celebrate the achievements of our amazing youth - from prom to graduation, birthdays to end of school parties and summer break. Whether your kids are celebrating milestones, facing big changes, or just counting down to pool days, we want to support them to have fun and create memories, but also be safe.

Of all alcohol-related fatalities involving teens each year, approximately one-third take place during April, May, and June prom and graduation season. Research shows that youth who start drinking before the age of 15 are at much higher risk for developing alcohol use disorder later in life than those who begin drinking at age 21.

As parents and caring adults, it is our responsibility to help our children celebrate responsibly, especially since they and many of their friends, are underage. Talk with your child about substance use and take steps, such as those in the Informed Families' Safe Homes, Smart Parties Guide, to ensure that no alcohol or drugs are available at teen parties held at your home and discourage them to do so at friends' homes or events they attend.

*Plan in advance - check party plans and know who guests will be. Set limits to prevent an "open party."

*Agree to rules ahead of time - some suggested rules might be: no drugs including alcohol and tobacco - no leaving or returning to the party - no gate crashers.

*Know your responsibilities - responsible adults at a teen party must be visible and aware. It is illegal to serve or provide drugs including beer, wine, wine coolers, etc. to anyone under age 21.

*Supervision is key to keeping a party safe - if guests arrive acting like they are under the influence, notify their parents immediately. Anyone who leaves the party should not be allowed to return; this discourages leaving with intent to drink or use drugs elsewhere then returning to the party.

*Welcome calls from other parents to discuss party arrangements - notify neighbors that a party is planned and assure them it will be properly supervised.

*Plan snacks & activities - serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks and plan fun activities such as movies, dancing, sports, that everyone can enjoy together. Unique and sober teen party suggestions offered by Love to Know can be found at:
https://www.lovetoknow.com/parenting/teens/safe-sober-grad-night-ideas

*Feedback - after the party, talk with your teen to share observations and frustrations.

Safe and sober parties help teens celebrate in fun, low-risk ways. For tips on how to host safe teen parties, visit Informed Families at:

https://www.informedfamilies.org/campaigns/safe-homes-smart-parties

TRUTH: Not All Young Adults Drink!

 

Here's some Real Truth to Celebrate...more than 1-in-4 young adults have never used alcohol. According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 25.3% of young people aged 18 to 25 have never had a drink. This positive choice is more common than you may think. Here in Polk County, stats from the 2024 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey report that 90% of the 6th-12th grade students surveyed in Polk DO NOT USE ALCOHOL.

When teens realize that they are among the majority making healthy choices, they may feel empowered to refrain from this and other risky behaviors. We salute today's youth who have learned that there are plenty of ways to have fun, connect, and thrive - without alcohol!

Learn more about the Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the U.S. and review results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health by clicking this link from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt47095/National%20Report/National%20Report/2023-nsduh-annual-national.pdf?

DEA Seizes Record-Breaking 2.7 Million Fentanyl Pills

 

In a May 6th press briefing in Washington, D.C., Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that federal authorities have made "one of the largest fentanyl busts in U.S. history" - part of a coordinated takedown spanning five states that brought in 11.5 kilos of fentanyl, including 3 million fentanyl-laced pills labeled as oxycodone. Approximately 35 kilos of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilos of cocaine, and 4.5 kilos of heroin were also seized in the drug bust along with $5 million in cash, 49 rifles and pistols, and luxury vehicles.

During yesterday's news conference Bondi shared, "This historic drug seizure is a major blow against the Sinaloa Cartel and it marks the most significant victory in our nation's fight against fentanyl and drug trafficking to date. The multi-agency operation, led by the DEA with local, state, tribal, and federal partners, targeted one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking and foreign terrorist organizations in our country to protect American citizens from the scourge of fentanyl. The Department of Justice will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle every cartel network operating illegally in the U.S."

The seizure led to the arrests of multiple people tied to the violent Mexican Sinaloa cartel. The leader of the drug ring, Alberto Salazar Amaya, is a high-ranking member of the cartel known to have distributed drugs across New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Sixteen people were arrested in the drug bust - at least six of them were found to be in the country illegally, according to Bondi. 

Kudos to the DEA agents, law enforcement, and others who work tirelessly to rid our streets of these dangerous illicit drugs. 

Read more from the DEA media release:

https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2025/05/06/dea-seizes-record-breaking-27-million-fentanyl-pills

Fentanyl Poisoning from Counterfeit Pills

 

The presence of fentanyl in today's drugs poses a grave threat to the safety of teens and adults alike. Fentanyl is widely available, highly addictive, and comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and forms including powder and pills.💊

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in 2024 half of all counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose of the powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl - approx. the size of 5-7 grains of table salt - is considered a lethal dose.🚫🕱 

Drug traffickers make large amounts of deadly fentanyl to sell as a standalone substance or mix with other dangerous street drugs to increase supply, create new users, and encourage repeat business. It can also be laced in heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. 

Users may not be aware they are ingesting fentanyl. It only take one bad decision, so protect yourself and your loved ones by staying informed.

 
https://drugfree.org/fentanyl-poisoning/

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

 

InnerAct Alliance joins with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and national and community partners to promote Mental Health Awareness Month during the month of May. Mental Health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being - it affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. It also helps determine how one handles stress, relates to others, and makes healthy choices.

Fast Facts from the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) show mental health issues are among the most common health conditions in the U.S.:

*More than 1-in-5 adults live with mental health issues

*Over 1-in-5 youth (age 13-18) currently or at some point in their life had a seriously debilitating mental illness

*Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people ages 10-14 in the U.S.

*50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14; and 75% by age 24

Prioritizing mental health strengthens individuals, families, and communities. In the coming weeks, we will promote acceptance, share helpful information about the vital role mental health plays in overall well-being, and suggest resources offering support.

It is healthy to talk about feelings and take actions, but some people may feel reluctant to reach out for help because they are concerned about the stigma associated with having a mental illness. Talking to a trusted friend or seeking a therapist for support can help you find coping strategies.

Help is available 24/7 through the 988 Lifeline Network to access skilled crisis workers who are trained to provide support and share helpful resources related to substance abuse, mental and physical illness, depression, loneliness and more. Call or text 988 - the call is FREE & confidential - or visit https://988lifeline.org

Additional Resources

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support

https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/

Celebrate All Your Wins – Big and Small

 

Love this positive advice - it's important to take time to celebrate the small wins along life's way.🙌 Small steps build momentum and help us stay focused.

Similarly, breaking projects into small steps can help reduce fear, clarify direction, and increases probability of future success. While small wins may not feel like much at the time, with consistency and persistence, they can lead us toward larger, more ambitious accomplishments.✌

Celebrate the small wins because they are truly the building blocks that help us make it to the finish line...and beyond!🎆

The Best Thing Parents Can Serve: Common Sense

 

It's a wonderful time of year to celebrate the achievements of our amazing youth! It's also important to be aware that some teens may think of this time as a "rite of passage" that should include alcohol, but in reality the time period from prom night to graduation can also be the most risky and dangerous when it comes to drinking and driving. 

As parents and caring adults, it is our responsibility to help our children celebrate safe and responsibly, especially since they and many of their friends are underage. Your voice matters more than peer pressure or social media. Remind your teens that underage drinking is NOT the norm - in fact, statistics show that among 6-12 grade students in Polk County, 90% DO NOT USE ALCOHOL (Florida Youth Substance abuse Survey, 2024). When teens realize that they are among the majority making healthy choices, they may feel empowered to refrain from risky behaviors. 

Praise your teens for the healthy choices they make and this will help to reinforce how their choices affect their goals and future plans.

InnerAct Alliance joins with our prevention partners at Informed Families and the National Family Partnership to help Florida's kids grow up safe, healthy, and drug free. Their FREE Safe Homes, Smart Parties Guide offers tips to guide teens in ways to celebrate responsibly and establishes firm guidelines for acceptable behaviors during this celebratory time of year. Visit Informed Families and take the Safe Homes, Smart Parties pledge promising that no alcohol or drugs will be present at parties you host: https://www.informedfamilies.org/campaigns/safe-homes-smart-parties