Drug summit for parents, "The Facts. Your Future.," held in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Florida DOH.
Tampa, Florida - On June 28, state leaders hosted a youth drug prevention summit for parents, "The Facts. Your Future.," at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
The event provided parents, guardians, and community partners with educational resources to understand the impacts and risks of drug use. At the summit, law enforcement and health care partners discussed the impacts of drug use, and provided effective communication tools for parents to use in having conversations about drugs with teenagers.
“We have a responsibility to protect children from the dangers they encounter in our world every day,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “The Facts. Your Future. is helping children achieve a safe and successful future across the state."
Attendees heard from state law enforcement leadership, medical professionals, and substance use prevention experts on current drug trends that Florida is facing and learned about law enforcement agencies intercepting illegal drugs that enter the state. Parents were provided with resources such as a parent toolkit to guide parents on how to discuss the dangers of drugs with their children. The Parent Toolkit also includes information on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, how to recognize signs of drug use, and resources for assistance.
"I've been to the border and seen the drugs and crime that comes into our nation firsthand," said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. "There is no question that some of these drugs are coming into Florida. Fentanyl killed approximately 2,700 people in Florida in the first six months of last year alone."
“Keeping young people away from drugs and alcohol is critical, and parents are the best protectors our children have,” said Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Dr. Eric Hall. “By sharing this important information about substance abuse and its impacts as seen by health and law enforcement professionals, parents will be prepared to know the signs and have the right conversations with their children to keep them off a dangerous path.”
Through The Facts. Your Future. campaign, Florida is equipping parents and youth with knowledge and resources to help prevent the devastating and dangerous consequences that often result from substance use and risky behavior. This campaign supports students statewide to ensure they receive substance use prevention instruction to protect and maintain their health, so they can thrive and flourish.
For more information and additional resources, please visit TheFactsYourFuture.org.