Drug Prevention Resource Center 
Community Statistics

The Polk County Substance Abuse Survey was administered to 1,624 of the students in Grades 6 - 12 in the Spring of 2006. The results supply a valuable source of information to help reduce and prevent the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs by school-aged youth.  The Drug Prevention Resource Center uses these results in planning our educational programs for the 87,000+ students of Polk County.

Drug Usage
52.4% used alcohol at some time (43.7% middle school - 59.4% high school)                                                    
17.2% binge drinking in past 2 weeks  (10.1% middle school - 22.9% high school)
32.4% smoked cigarettes  (27.9% middle school - 36.1% high school)
20.7% used marijuana (13.4% middle school - 26.6% high school)
15.9% used smokeless tobacco  (13% middle school - 18.2% high school)
13.6% used inhalants  (16.8% middle school - 11.1% high school)
12.7% were drunk or high at school during the past 12 months
9.4% used prescription pain meds
7.7% used depressants
5.4% used mushrooms
5.0% used cocaine
4.7% used prescription amphetamines
4.0% used ecstasy
3.4% used methamphetamines
Earliest use of alcohol - age 13.3
Earliest use of tobacco - age 13
Earliest use of marijuana - age 14

Delinquent Behaviors
6.4% were arrested
6.4% sold drugs
5.8% carried a handgun
1.3% carried a handgun to school

Protective Factors
51% see Religion as a protective factor in their lives
47% see Community Rewards for Pro-Social Involvement as a protective factor
46% see School Involvement as a protective factor
41% see Family Attachment as a protective factor
42% see Belief in the Moral Order as a protective factor

Risk Factors
66% see Transition/Mobility as a risk factor in their lives
62% see Poor Family Management as a risk factor
60% see Low Neighborhood Attachment as a risk factor
60% see Friends' Delinquent Behavior as a risk factor
56% see Availability of Handguns as a factor
49% see Availability of Drugs as a risk factor
50% see Friends' Use of Drugs as a risk factor
51% see Parental Attitudes Favorable to all Drug Use as a risk factor

                                                            STRENGTHS ON WHICH TO BUILD

Marijuana use has declined.  Overall "lifetime use" fell from 30.6% in 2000 to 20.7% in 2006. Overall "past 30 day use" dropped from 17.6% in 2000 to 9.9% in 2006.

Students reported a reduction in "past 30-day" cigarette use.  The rate dropped from 23.3% in 2000 to 12.7% in 2006.

A majority of students reported that each of the following behaviors poses a "great risk" of harm: smoking a pack or more of cigarettes per day (63.3%) and regular use of marijuana (62.7%).

                                                            OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT

Alcohol is the most commonly used drug with 52.4% "anytime usage" and 30.3% "past 30 day usage."

17.2% reported binge drinking (5 plus drinks in a row within the last 2 weeks).

Cigarettes and Marijuana are the most commonly used drugs after alcohol.

One out of 10 reported "lifetime use" of any illicit drug. 

59% are not likely to become involved with pro-social organizations and positive role models in our communities.

41% feel that families need to provide additional feedback and help them form bonds within the family.

20.3% reported getting suspended, 13% reported attacking someone with intent to harm, and 12.7% reported being drunk or high at school.

These key findings illustrate the complexity of drug use and antisocial behavior among our Polk County Students. This drug use and delinquent behavior will negatively affect their lives and our society!

** The complete summary may be found under Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey - Polk County Report **

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                               The Impact of the Drug Prevention Resource Center's
                                            2006 October Red Ribbon Campaign

Since 1985, the Drug Prevention Resource Center has been proud to sponsor the Annual Red Ribbon Campaign, a national public awareness campaign celebrated during the month of October to raise awareness of substance abuse and encourage communities to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a drug-free environment. The Red Ribbon is the universal symbol for alcohol, tobacco and other substance abuse prevention in the United States. The goal is for communities to join together to wear and display Red Ribbons and participate in special Red Ribbon community events.

DPRC has been recognized for organizing some of the largest prevention awareness activities in the State of Florida, which includes the honor of setting an official Guinness World Record for the Longest Ribbon Cutting in October 2005. Red Ribbon Committee Members include: Barbara Baker, Kelly Tallent, Ron Feschak, Hazel Sellers, Mike Smith, Melanie Dixon, Mike Pruitt, Mary Hinson, Bob Gibbs, Lily Romine, Naomi Dunne, Lesley Corban (Board President), Kaye McConnell (Volunteer Red Ribbon Coodinator), Angie Ellison (Executive Director) and the staff of the Drug Prevention Resource Center.

During the Red Ribbon Campaign, DPRC organizes a month-long schedule of special awareness events which include Community Red Ribbon Distribution Days, "Say No To Drugs" Red Ribbon Kickoff Events at two local elementary schools, a Red Ribbon Community Awareness Luncheon and the Red Ribbon Run, which is the largest youth running event in Polk County with an annual participation of over 1,700 youth. In 2006, a Kids Health & Wellness Carnival was added to the Red Ribbon festivities to celebrate the benefits of healthy living!

The Red Ribbon Campaign originated when Federal Agent Enrique Camarena was tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in February 1985. The Red Ribbon became the symbol to reduce the demand for drugs. Today, the Red Ribbon symbolizes a health, drug-free lifestyle. Red Ribbons are worn and displayed by citizens committed to preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems across America. 

DPRC's Ribbon Campaign coverage area for this important substance abuse prevention education message is throughout all of Polk County, and parts of Hardee and Highlands counties. The following is an estimate of the impact of the Drug Prevention Resource Center's 2006 October Red Ribbon Campaign.

Red Lapel Ribbons & Substance Abuse Information Distribution
14 shopping centers - 5,700
Munn Park Festival -   300
4 main post office locations in Lakeland - 1,600
5 branches of MIDFLORIDA Federal Credit Union - 2,000
4 youth sporting events - 2,500
Red ribbon merchandise orders from schools & community organizations - 27,000
Estimated number of people reached - 39,100

Poster Distribution
Most shopping centers
124 Polk County Schols
116 Churches in Polk County

In-house information sent via e-mail or newsletter
City of Lakeland employees - 2,100
County employees
State Attorney's office - 100
Lakeland Police Department
Polk County Sheriff's Office - 1,500
US Postal Service employees
School system employees - 11,000

2 Elementary School Kick-off Events
Estimated number of people reached - 1,200

School Packages of Prevention Material
164 Schools in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties
Estimated number of people reached - 97,475

City & County Proclamations Televised

School Board Meeting Televised

75 Business Packages - estimated number of people reached - 15,000

Red Ribbon Newsletter
600 families
164 schools in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties

Insert in Electric Bill - estimated number reached 85,000

480 Community Letters sent to:
116 churches
chambers of commerce
16 city halls
26 civic clubs
25 youth organizations
90 businesses
47 banks
9 colleges
19 libraries
16 law enforcement
100 health community
all elected officials

Media coverage
21 Ledger newspaper articles - 250,000
65 radio spots - 30,000
111 BrightHouse network cable ads - 110,000
FOX News coverage of school kickoff event & Underage Drinking Youth Coalition
Television coverage in 38 schools

15th Annual Red Ribbon Run & Kids Health & Wellness Carnival
2,800 attendees
100 volunteers
88 vendors
1,050 attendees
500 Hardee County Red Ribbon Run
Estimated number of people reached - 4,538

Red Ribbon Community Awareness Luncheon
80 attendees