40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #27: A Message from Sheriff Grady Judd

 

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #27: A Message from Sheriff Grady Judd

For 40 years, InnerAct Alliance has been blessed with unwavering support from the Polk County Sheriff's Office. From our early years to now, law enforcement partnership has been essential to our prevention mission. We are especially grateful for Sheriff Grady Judd's continuous advocacy for substance abuse prevention and his commitment to keeping our community safe.

Sheriff Judd has a special message for InnerAct Alliance as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary!

20 Years Ago:  New Sheriff + 20th Anniversary

Today:  Still Our Sheriff + 40th Anniversary

Always: Committed to Prevention & Community Safety

Sheriff Judd's dedication to youth safety, prevention education, and community partnerships has made an immeasurable impact on Polk County.

Thank you, Sheriff Judd, for two decades of steadfast support!

Please Support Prevention!

https://www.inneractalliance.org/donations.html

Text IAA to 26989

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #SheriffGradyJudd #PolkCountySheriff #20YearsOfPartnership #CommunityHeroes #PreventionWorks #ThankYouSheriff #PolkCounty #LawEnforcementPartnership

Join Us Monday, May 4 for the Own The Upside Prevention Summit to Stay Informed!

 

Join InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition at the Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit next Monday, May 4, 2026, from 8:00am to 4:00pm, at the W.H. Stuart Center | UF/IFAS Extension Office, 1710 US Highway 17 South in Bartow, to learn about important issues facing our community.

This is an exceptional opportunity for teachers, school resource officers, administrators, counselors, social workers, prevention specialists, and concerned citizens 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 $28.52 and includes a light breakfast and lunch. 

Register Today!

Call the InnerAct Alliance Office
(863) 802-0777

or use the QR Code Below

Own The Upside was initiated by the Drug Free Coalition partnership of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties in Central Florida and founded on the Positive Community Norms Theory to support youth through proactive prevention programs and empower young people to make positive healthy choices. Please call (863) 802-0777 for more information.

Positive Vibes to Start the Week

 

Happy Monday! Did you know that smiling can instantly raise your vibe - even if you don't mean it? 😊 

Positive vibes are like a magical potion that can change your whole perspective and that of others. Try it - smile or laugh then notice how quickly your vibration rises.

Let's all start the week by surrounding ourselves with good vibes and positivity...nothing can bring us down! 

Tomorrow is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

One more quick reminder that tomorrow - Saturday, April 25 - is the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, offering an opportunity for citizens to safely dispose of unneeded pet or human medication. Bring your meds in a clear plastic bag to the participating Drive-Thru Drop-Off locations in Lakeland and Polk County listed below from 10AM to 2PM. 💊 

Why Does This Matter? - Studies show that medications stored in home medicine cabinets is highly susceptible to abuse. Discarding medication by flushing or throwing it in the trash also creates potential health hazards. 

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse. 

What Can We Bring? - Clean out your home medicine cabinet for any unneeded Human and Pet medications including over-the-counter medications, medications in liquid and solid forms, vaping pens, and e-cigarette devices (with batteries removed). 

Together we can keep our community safe
and prevent substance abuse before it starts!

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #26: Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit on May 4, 2026

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #26: Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit on May 4, 2026

For the past 4 decades, InnerAct Alliance has been bringing together prevention professionals to share knowledge and strategies.

Join Us for the Annual Own the Upside Prevention Summit

Monday, May 4
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

W.H. Stuart Center | UF/IFAS Extension Office
1710 U.S. Highway 17 South in Bartow

Who Should Attend

Teachers, school resource officers, administrators, counselors, social workers, prevention specialists, and concerned citizens are invited to come together and share up-to-date information with a realistic view of:

*Current youth culture

*Emerging drug trends

*Social media & connection to risky behaviors
*Prevention strategies that work

Register Now!

Admission - $28.52
includes light breakfast & lunch

BONUS: Double Your Prevention Training!

On the following day, Tuesday, May 5, the Hanley Foundation is offering a FREE in-person Ethics in Prevention training from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, also at the W.H. Stuart Center, suitable for entry-level and experienced prevention practitioners. Seats are limited - Pre-Register at: hanley.info/ethics05

About Own The Upside

Own The Upside was initiated by the Drug Free Coalition partnership of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties and founded on the Positive Community Norms Theory. Data collected annually by the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) reports that most youth do not engage in risky behaviors. Own The Upside believes in supporting youth through proactive prevention programs to reduce, access, identify risky behaviors, change community attitudes towards substance use, and empower young people to make positive choices.

Join us in celebrating the positives and
empowering our community!

More info

Call Angie Ellison at the IAA Office
(863) 802-0777

angie.ellison@inneractalliance.org

 #40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #Prevention Summit #OwnTheUpside #StandUPPolk #ProfessionalDevelopment #PreventionEducation #PolkCounty #YouthCulture #PreventionWorks

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #25: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25

 

40 Years-40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #25: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - April 25, 2026

For 40 years, InnerAct Alliance has been committed to preventing harm and promoting health in our community. One crucial way we do this is by partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement for the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10am to 2pm.

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join the Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for the 29th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday.

Why This Matters

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. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse.

What You Can Bring

*Human and Pet prescription medications
*Over-the-Counter medications
*Medications in liquid and solid form
*Vaping pens & e-cigarette devices (remove batteries)
*Please place medication in a clear, air-tight plastic bag

Drop-Off Locations on Saturday, April 25

*Bartow Police Dept. - 450 N. Broadway Ave.
*Davenport Police Dept. - 16 W. Bay St.
*Haines City Police Dept. - 35400 Highway 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

Year-Round Drop Sites

Permanents drop sites (solid medications only) available at police department locations in: Auburndale, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lakeland, and Winter Haven.

Our Impact

Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in well over 29,000 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of vis incineration!

Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet & Turn in Unwanted Medication on April 25

Together, we can keep our community safe and prevent substance abuse before it begins!

For More Info, please contact

Angie Ellison @ IAA
(863) 802-0777

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #DrugTakeBackDay #StandUPPolk #DEA #SafeDisposal #PolkCounty #PreventionWorks #April25 #MedicationDisposal

Today is Earth Day – Our Power, Our Planet

 

Earth Day 2026 takes place today - Wednesday, April 22 - the annual celebration to raise awareness and advocate for change on issues that impact our home on Planet Earth! 

This year's theme, "Our Planet, Our Power," is meant to encourage individuals, organizations, and governments to embrace renewable energy resources to create a sustainable future. Earth Day is a popular time for communities to gather together to clean up litter, plant trees, or simply reflect on the beauty of nature. We appreciate our home planet Mother Earth!

InnerAct Alliance and our coalition partners, StandUP Polk and UthMpact, support Earth Day with local efforts to keep our community safe. This Saturday, April 25, we join the DEA and 8 Polk County law enforcement agencies to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, at participating law enforcement agencies listed below. Citizens may turn in unused or expired human or pet medications for safe disposal via supervised incineration. This helps keep medication from being misused or winding up in lakes and streams harming the wildlife and water supply.

Unwanted medication may also be taken to one of the Polk County permanent drop sites funded by GiveWell Community Foundation year-round at police department locations in:

Auburndale (weekdays 8am-5pm)

Haines City (weekdays 8am-5pm)

Lake Alfred (24hrs/7days)

Lake Hamilton (weekdays 8am-5pm)

Lakeland (24hrs/7days)

Winter Haven (weekdays 8am-5pm)