With an average of 7 Rx drug-related deaths in Florida each day, the intentional abuse of prescription drugs to alter brain activity is quickly becoming an epidemic. This alarming trend is especially prevalent in teenagers. Over 70% of young people age 12 & older who abuse prescription painkillers get them free from the homes of family or friends. Drug use affects family life, but is also detrimental to employee performance and safety.

InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk, the coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, are proud to present the 1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit on Monday, September 20, 2010, at 7:30 a.m., at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene in Lakeland, to raise awareness about the alarming trend of abuse of prescription drugs and how it affects Polk County schools, businesses and families.

The Keynote Speaker will be Sharon Kelley, MS, PMD, and CEO of Alliance for Global Narcotics Training, who will address attendees from 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Solution-planning group sessions led by Ms. Kelley and local experts in the field will take place from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

• Public Policy- What changes do we need to make to our policies to prevent and fight this epidemic?
• Kids/Parents/Teachers- What roadblocks can we clear when it comes to helping students, parents and school personnel avoid the pitfall of Rx Drug Abuse?
• Risk Management/Human Resources- What are ways to increase efficiency and decrease costs by preventing Rx abuse and addiction in the work place?

The first 100 registrants to R.S.V.P. to InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777 will receive free breakfast at 7:00 a.m.

Due to the nature of the presentation content, no one under 18 will be permitted to attend.

StandUP Polk and its partners in The Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk are also planning a second Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off event, in conjunction with the DEA’s National Take Back Initiative, on Saturday, September 25, 2010, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted medications for safe and proper disposal. The first countywide medication collection held on March 20, 2010 resulted in an estimated 245.5 lbs. of recovered pharmaceuticals.

Locations for the pill drop off are: Auburndale Police Department (2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL); Florida Department of Transportation (801 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL – Hosted by Bartow Police Department); Haines City Police Department (35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL); Lakeland Police Department (219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL); and Winter Haven Police Department (125 North Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven, FL). All medications should be secured in a clear, air-tight sealed plastic bag.

The 1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit is supported by:

Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group, P.A.

Lakeland Police Department

Watson Clinic Foundation

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