1st Ever County-Wide Youth Leadership Program

Students from various Polk County high schools have recently been nominated by their school principals and community leaders to participate in an exciting new Youth Leadership Program, the first of its kind in the county, and spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance and key business partners to help teens develop crucial leadership skills.

On August 16-17, 2011, a group of over 30 teens from 11 different Polk County schools took part in the UthMpact Leadership Retreat at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City, to kick-off the program, develop team presentations, and enjoy Leadership Olympics games and activities led by motivation expert, Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator, author of the book titled, “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too” and “Teen Power and Beyond.”

Once a month, beginning in September 2011, youth leaders will travel throughout Polk County to spend the day experiencing the inner workings of local government, health care, education, and law enforcement. The group will meet with community leaders, discuss challenges, and recommend solutions for issues that face us now and in the future.

The Leadership Program agenda includes 6 days from September-March, each with different themes:

September 28 – Health and Wellness Leadership Day
October 26 – Law Enforcement Leadership Day
November 30 – Volunteer Leadership Day
January 25 – Education Leadership Day
February 22 – Government Leadership Day
March 28 – Business Leadership Day
April 25 – Leadership Graduation Evening

UthMpact is the dynamic coalition of teen leaders committed to helping educate and deliver key substance abuse prevention messages to teens by their peers. Coalition goals for UthMpact are to provide positive community engagement; change community stereotypes about teen drug use by volunteering, informing and being educated; set examples for other teens; increase coalition membership and involvement in youth clubs in high schools; and positively encourage alcohol and tobacco prevention and cessation.

For additional information on the UthMpact Leadership Program, please call Veronica Awai at (863) 802-0777, visit www.uthmpact.com, or find UthMpact on Facebook.

Free Tobacco Cessation Program Starts September 1, 2011

Quitting smoking is one of the healthiest lifestyle changes a person can make, but it can also be difficult to accomplish without support. InnerAct Alliance is proud to partner with Florida Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Network and Florida Department of Health to offer Polk County residents a Free Quit Smoking Now Tobacco Cessation program.

The six-week program begins on September 1, 2011, and was developed by ex-smokers for those who want to become ex-smokers themselves. Weekly meetings will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at tba church, located at 1815 County Road 540A, in Lakeland.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) patches will also available to participants free of charge.

For information about the Quit Smoking Now program or to register for the September 1st class, please call 1-877-252-6094.

Congratulations UthMpact Teen Leaders!

Members of the StandUP Polk and UthMpact Coalitions for a Drug-Free Polk gathered on June 16, 2011 for their Annual Planning Retreat to help guide prevention and coalition leadership toward long-term success and sustainability.

UthMpact is the dynamic coalition for teens to educate and empower their peers to make healthy decisions and take action against alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. During the past year, UthMpact members contributed a total of 568.5 service hours serving our community and providing youth with prevention services and information.

Ten of the top UthMpact team leaders in attendance were congratulated and awarded certificates for the hours of service they completed from July 2010 to June 2011 as follows:

Taylor Jones – 150.5 hours
Tait Jones – 129.75 hours
Tori Ellison - 46 hours
Shannon Lyons – 28 hours
Seth Stone - 23.25 hours
Rachel Martin – 16.25 hours
Coni Davis – 11.75 hours
Erica Schaaf – 9.25 hours
Josh Richburg – 6.75 hours
Emi Davis – 2 hours

UthMpact is always looking for new members, so if you are a teen who would like to make a positive impact in the community, please attend one of our UthMpact Meet-Ups starting in September on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

For more information, contact UthMpact Coalition Coordinator, Veronica Awai, at veronica@uthmpact.com. You can also visit www.UthMpact.com or find UthMpact on Facebook.

Summer To Do List: Relax, Refresh, Reduce Risks!

Who among us hasn’t hummed a chorus or two of the classic rock song “School’s Out” lately? Another school year has ended, summer is upon us, and it’s time to refresh and relax regular routines a bit. As parents and concerned citizens, summer also comes with a responsibility to ensure that teens enjoy a break from the school year pressures without becoming involved in negative behaviors.

Summer is the riskiest time of year when it comes to teens and substance abuse, particularly alcohol and marijuana. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more teens try marijuana for the first time in June, July, and August than any other time of the year. The lack of structure and supervision, added freedom and more time with friends may increase temptation and access to alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.

Marijuana is much more harmful than many parents and teens think. It is a more potent blend than what was available in the 1960s and 1970s. The facts show that marijuana can be addictive, and lead to a host of health, social and behavioral problems at a crucial time when teens’ bodies and brains are still in development.

According to TheAntiDrug.com, kids who use marijuana in early adolescence are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as delinquency, sexual activity, driving while high, or riding with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They are also more likely to perceive drugs as not harmful, and have friends who exhibit deviant behavior.

It’s not too late to sit down with your teen and make a summer plan that includes safe and fun activities to do with friends and as a family to beat the heat. The Parents, The Anti-Drug website offers some great ideas for summer fun including sports, games, activities, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, education, etc. Make time to visit the summer activities checklist at http://theantidrug.com/SchoolsOut/engage.asp to explore what your teens’ interests might be! Have a safe and fun summer!

Family InnerActions - A New Group for Families with Babies!

InnerAct Alliance is proud to introduce Family InnerActions – Prevention’s First Steps, an exciting new interactive group specially designed for families with babies age newborn through 3 years to come together to enjoy adult conversation, learn, and bond with their babies, and watch them grow in a friendly, supportive environment.

The Family InnerActions group meets on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at tba Church, located at 1815 County Road 540A, in Lakeland. Admission is free and pre-registration is not required. Participants need only to bring their baby, a blanket, and baby toys to play with.

For additional information, please call Juli Davis, Community Outreach, InnerAct Aliance, at (863) 802-0777 or find us on Facebook at Family InnerActions – Non-Profit Organization.

Congratulations Winter Haven/Haines City Area Winners of Red Ribbon Rally Poster, Poetry & Essay Contests

InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of its Poster, Poetry and Essay Contests for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Winter Haven/Haines City area schools. Contest participants will be recognized during the Red Ribbon Rally this morning at 10:00 a.m. at Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven.

The anti-drug rally focuses on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Students were challenged to use their creative talents to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate topical messages about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Overall winners in each category will receive cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place) in each contest category.

Guest speaker for the Rally is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in all of their endeavors. Grady is the author of the book titled, “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and the book, “Teen Power and Beyond.” Community leaders will also be on hand to encourage the choice of a positive, healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs.

Similar rallies for Lakeland area schools took place last week on May 4th at The Lakeland Center.

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is to reduce the abuse and underage use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to offer substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, drug-free puppet shows, informative presentations and family-oriented awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others in need with an important substance abuse message.

Winter Haven/Haines City Winners of Red Ribbon Rallies Poster, Essay & Poetry Contest

Poster Winners
Auburndale Central – Bethany Aguillon
Berkley Charter – Bryanna Rials
Bethune Academy – Marialys Cirilo
Caldwell – Zach Torres
Chain of Lakes – Sara Avellaneda
Davenport School of the Arts – Vanessa Franco
Dundee – Claudio Estrada
Eastside – Ruby Estrada
Elbert – Alyssa Anderson
Garden Grove – Katherine Corrales
Hartridge Academy – Dezarae Maldonado
Horizons – Sophia Campanello
Inwood – Chardonnay Webster
Janie Howard Wilson – Lexi Schmidt
Lake Alfred – Nicholas McClure
Lake Marion Creek – Angelia Rosario
Lake Shipp – Caleb Gilileo
Laurel – Elijah Paz
Lena Vista – Jadon Gore
Loughman Oaks – Yairaberth Vazquez
Palmetto – Keish Marie Valles
Pinewood – Johnna Hunter
Polk City – Deseray Woods
Snively – Shadae Arnold

Poetry Winners
Auburndale Central – Jenica Louis
Berkley Charter - Deyawna Northern
Bethune Academy – Nylah Knight
Caldwell – Cameron Gainey
Davenport School of the Arts – Priscilla Mandujano
Dundee – Amanda Parker
Eastside – Chela Legros
Elbert – Lauren Azurin
Garden Grove – Trevor Crank
Inwood – Gaven Barley
Janie Howard Wilson – Katy Hadden
Lake Alfred – Karla Hoffman
Lake Marion Creek – Cheyenne Cottingham
Lake Shipp – Martine Mitchell
Laurel – Keyannie Pineiro
Lena Vista – Cassie Johnson
Loughman Oaks – Sharon Barahona
Palmetto – Elizabeth Myrick
Pinewood – Conner Tibbetts
Snively – Yereli Mejia

Essay Winners
Auburndale Central - Courtney Reyes
Berkley Charter – Sarah Jeppeson
Caldwell – Jalen Gaskins
Chain of Lakes – Martin Farhangmehr
Davenport School of the Arts – Sophie Leniz
Dundee – Meagan Tomlin
Eastside – Felicity Jo Hufstetler
Elbert – Jaxson Trotti
Horizons – Rachel Marti
Inwood – Equilla Earle
Janie Howard Wilson – Eva Atkinson
Lake Alfred – Gabrielle Figueroa
Lake Shipp – Olivia Joy Thompson
Laurel – Jonathan Garcia
Lena Vista – Hailey Auterson
Loughman Oaks – Zoe Hernandez Carrijo
Palmetto – Char-D’Nea Peters
Pinewood – Tiahna Braddy

Winter Haven/Haines City – Red Ribbon Rally Contest Overall Prize Winners
Poster Contest
1st Place - $100.00 - Vanessa Franco, Davenport School of the Arts
2nd Place - $ 50.00 - Ruby Estrada, Eastside Elementary
3rd Place - $ 25.00 - Yairaberth Vazquez, Loughman Oaks Elementary

Poetry Contest
1st Place - $100.00 - Keyannie Pineiro, Laurel Elementary
2nd Place - $ 50.00 - Deyawna Northern, Berkley Charter
3rd Place - $ 25.00 - Priscilla Mandujano, Davenport School of the Arts

Essay Contest
1st Place - $100.00 - Jalen Gaskins, Caldwell Elementary
2nd Place - $ 50.00 - Gabrielle Figueroa, Lake Alfred Elementary
3rd Place - $ 25.00 - Jonathan Garcia, Laurel Elementary

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall - Berkley Charter School

Prescription Drug Take Back Nets Over 1000 lbs. of Pharmaceuticals

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 30, 2011, and host our community’s Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off at 11 locations in Hardee and Polk Counties in Central Florida for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal.

An estimated 1,022.4 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. Drop-off sites hosted by participating partners included Auburndale Police Department, City of Zolfo Springs Sheriff Substation, Davenport Police Department, Florida Dept. of Transportation hosted by the Bartow Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Winter Haven Police Department, and Wauchula Police Department.

For those unable to make it on April 30th, Home Instead Senior Care and Hawthorne Inn of Lakeland also served as collection sites on Friday, April 29, 2011 from 9 AM to 1 PM.

Two countywide prescription medication collections held previously in Polk County, FL in spring and fall 2010 resulted in an estimated 650 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals. StandUP Polk partners plan to host future pill drop events and hope to establish a permanent pill drop off venue in the county soon to assist residents in proper disposal of unused prescription medications in an environmentally safe manner, and help decrease the availability of expired or unwanted medications to reduce prescription drugs abuse.

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, is a group of concerned citizens, law enforcement, community and business leaders working together to take a stand against drugs and bring about positive change for Polk County.