https://www.drugfreepg.com https://www.drugfreepg.com/over-157-pounds-collected-on-national-dea-rx-drug-take-back-day <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> On April 26, 2025, Drug Free Punta Gorda proudly participated in the National DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day—and the results were outstanding. In just four hours, between 10 AM and 2 PM, we collected more than 157 pounds of expired, unneeded, and unused medications from our community! </span> </p> <p> <span> This event is a vital part of our mission to keep Punta Gorda safe and drug-free by providing a secure, convenient way to dispose of medications that might otherwise end up misused or harming the environment. Thanks to the incredible support of our residents and local partners, we continue to make significant strides in reducing the availability of prescription drugs for potential misuse. </span> </p> <p> <span> If you missed this event, don’t worry—Drug Free Punta Gorda is committed to offering more opportunities throughout the year to safely dispose of medications. Together, we are building a healthier, safer community! </span> </p> </div> Mon, 05 May 2025 01:14:59 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/over-157-pounds-collected-on-national-dea-rx-drug-take-back-day thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/2024-taste-of-punta-gorda Thu, 30 May 2024 13:42:11 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/2024-taste-of-punta-gorda https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-parent-pick-up-give-a-way-at-punta-gorda-middle-school Thu, 30 May 2024 13:36:19 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-parent-pick-up-give-a-way-at-punta-gorda-middle-school thumbnail https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-dfpg-fundraiser-and-downtown-pg-christmas-parade Mon, 08 Jan 2024 20:13:25 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-dfpg-fundraiser-and-downtown-pg-christmas-parade thumbnail https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-dfpg-prevention-breakfast Mon, 08 Jan 2024 20:09:26 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-dfpg-prevention-breakfast thumbnail https://www.drugfreepg.com/punta-gorda-city-council-could-ban-vaping-at-some-city-parks <div data-rss-type="text"> <h2> <span> Punta Gorda City Council could ban vaping at some city parks </span> </h2> <h3> <br/> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The City of Punta Gorda could potentially ban vaping at several parks across the area. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> Currently, smoking is banned at the Gilchrist Park playground, Laishley Park's interactive fountain, Cooper Street Recreation Center and the Ponce de Leon playground. The proposed ordinance would make vaping illegal at these same areas. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> "It’s definitely something that should be away from people," said Yolanda Clinton, who agrees with a ban. "It’s kind of annoying because the smoke bellows out." </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> She takes her grandson to Gilchrist Park sometimes, and said she does not want him around someone who is vaping. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> "I certainly wouldn’t want him at 5 years old to see someone vaping and then be curious about this candy-flavored smell," she explained. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> The organization, Drug-Free Punta Gorda, says it wants city council to make the ordinance consistent with the Charlotte County ordinance, which would make vaping illegal. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> hange for the first time. A decision cannot be made yet as the ordinance still needs to go through a second reading. </span> </p> <p> <span> "I think vaping is a fad with the youth," said Brad Fountain, who takes his great grandson to Gilchrist Park. "I think the smell kinda pulls them [teens] in." </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> According to the  </span> <a href="https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/second-hand-smoke.pdf" target="_blank"> American Thoracic Society </a> <span> , second-hand smoke from vaping can be inhaled and contain toxic substances such as heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> It's a reality that hits close to home for Fountain, who used to smoke. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> "If I had to do it over again I would've never started," he said. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> It's a habit Clinton doesn't want her grandson to see by having them at parks. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> "You’re introducing them to vaping," she explained. "They smell it, they see it. They’re curious, they want to know what it’s all about." </span> </p> <p> <span> The second reading for the ordinance change could happen at the next meeting on June 21. If it passes, it would take effect immediately. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> Review entire story at: <a href="https://www.fox4now.com/charlotte-county/punta-gorda-city-council-could-ban-vaping-at-some-city-parks"> https://www.fox4now.com/charlotte-county/punta-gorda-city-council-could-ban-vaping-at-some-city-parks </a> </p> <p> <br/> </p> </div> Mon, 06 Nov 2023 20:09:28 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/punta-gorda-city-council-could-ban-vaping-at-some-city-parks thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/meet-with-decision-makers-about-tobacco-policy-changes <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> MEET WITH DECISION-MAKERS ABOUT TOBACCO POLICY CHANGES </span> </h3> </div> <div> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/574da318/dms3rep/multi/Picture1.jpg"/> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> THE MEETING TO DISCUSS POLICY CHANGE TOOK PLACE DURING THE DFPG COALITION MEETING </span> </h3> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> Mark Kuharski is DFPG’s Representative for the PG City Council Sector. Ashley Chandler, DFPG’s Project Coordinator attended the City Council meeting prior to the Coalition meeting to request that Charlotte County Tobacco Ordinance be updated to parallel the policies of our surrounding counties. The ordinance update request was added to the City Council voting roster and official voting was set to take place in the coming weeks. </span> </p> <p> <span> <span>  </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> During DFPG’s August 2023 Coalition meeting, I asked Mark if the vote for the ordinance change had taken place and he responded that it had and the decision was unanimous and in favor of a Tobacco Ordinance update to prevent vaping and smoking in all city parks and beaches, not just children’s play areas. The Tobacco Ordinance has officially been changed to be updated to coincide with all other surrounding county ordinances thanks to our combined efforts to address this matter. This is a huge win for Charlotte County! </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <br/> </p> </div> Thu, 26 Oct 2023 15:29:15 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/meet-with-decision-makers-about-tobacco-policy-changes thumbnail https://www.drugfreepg.com/spirit-week-lunch-activities-at-charlotte-high-school Thu, 12 Oct 2023 02:28:43 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/spirit-week-lunch-activities-at-charlotte-high-school thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-mental-health-walk-in-laishley-park Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:31:43 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-mental-health-walk-in-laishley-park thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/monthly-lunch-activities-as-charlotte-high-school Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:38:17 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/monthly-lunch-activities-as-charlotte-high-school thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/aaa-prom-ise-pledge-signing-at-charlotte-high-school Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:34:14 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/aaa-prom-ise-pledge-signing-at-charlotte-high-school thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/lunch-activities-at-fsw-collegiate-high-school <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> Lunch activities at FSW Collegiate High School. Alcohol prevention questions and table pong. </span> <span> <span>  </span> </span> </p> </div> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:29:00 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/lunch-activities-at-fsw-collegiate-high-school thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-national-rx-drug-take-back-day <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> This is a subtitle for your new post </span> </h3> </div> <div> <img src="https://irt-cdn.multiscreensite.com/md/dmtmpl/dms3rep/multi/blog_post_image.png"/> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source. </span> </p> </div> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:10:21 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/2023-national-rx-drug-take-back-day thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/october-2021-red-ribbon-week <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Lunch Activity with CHS &amp; FSWCHS Students </span> <span> <br/> </span> </h3> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 07:39:31 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/october-2021-red-ribbon-week thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/bowling-rewards-day <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Bowling Rewards Day <br/> </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> Bowling Rewards Day with the S.I.T (Student Impact Team) at Punta Gorda Middle School. The students that came to at least 2 S.I.T meetings were invited to go to Treasure Lanes for bowling, arcade games, pizza, and soda. They had such a great time! They definitely earned it.  <br/> </span> </p> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 07:30:31 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/bowling-rewards-day thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/summer-2022-with-s-i-t <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> July 11th, 2022 - Summer Camp Session 3 <br/> </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> Our focus for this session was teaching our group about opioids and positive, healthy relationship building. With the help of our friends from Drug Free Charlotte County and C.A.R.E, we had a variety of material to share. Seven kids in our group volunteered to act out a skit provided by our friend Crystal, an employee with C.A.R.E. Each participant was assigned a character to play from a group of seven teens who are beginning to notice unhealthy relationships around them. Everyone had a great time during the role-play activity. Afterward, we discussed as a group the problems we saw with the characters' relationship and what they could have done differently. <br/> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> While we did have a great time teaching about relationships, we also had to discuss the dangers of opioids in our society today. We explained why trying a drug is one of the most dangerous and consequential mistakes anyone could make, not just teens. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> <br/> Toward the end of our session, we gave each of the kids in our group a "positive image board" to decorate and take home to keep. Everyone had to write one positive thing on an index card about each person sitting at their table. The index cards were given to hang on the boards for display. Imagine that you were able to take home and hang up on your wall every kind word or compliment you receive in a day. This exercise built self-esteem and positive relationships between kids that hardly know each other. :) :) </span> <span> <span>  </span> </span> </p> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 07:25:53 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/summer-2022-with-s-i-t thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/july-11th-2022-summer-camp-session-3 <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> July 11th, 2022 - Summer Camp Session 3 <br/> </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> Our focus for this session was teaching our group about opioids and positive, healthy relationship building. With the help of our friends from Drug Free Charlotte County and C.A.R.E, we had a variety of material to share. Seven kids in our group volunteered to act out a skit provided by our friend Crystal, an employee with C.A.R.E. Each participant was assigned a character to play from a group of seven teens who are beginning to notice unhealthy relationships around them. Everyone had a great time during the role-play activity. Afterward, we discussed as a group the problems we saw with the characters' relationship and what they could have done differently. <br/> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> While we did have a great time teaching about relationships, we also had to discuss the dangers of opioids in our society today. We explained why trying a drug is one of the most dangerous and consequential mistakes anyone could make, not just teens. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> <br/> Toward the end of our session, we gave each of the kids in our group a "positive image board" to decorate and take home to keep. Everyone had to write one positive thing on an index card about each person sitting at their table. The index cards were given to hang on the boards for display. Imagine that you were able to take home and hang up on your wall every kind word or compliment you receive in a day. This exercise built self-esteem and positive relationships between kids that hardly know each other. :) :) </span> <span> <span>  </span> </span> </p> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 07:15:05 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/july-11th-2022-summer-camp-session-3 thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/lunch-activities-8/22/22-with-pgms <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Lunch activities 8/22/22 with Punta Gorda Middle School <br/> </span> </h3> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 06:51:26 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/lunch-activities-8/22/22-with-pgms thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/pgms-s-i-t-meeting-promotion-for-upcoming-meeting <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> LPGMS Welcome Back to School Dance sponsored by Drug Free Punta Gorda </span> <span> <br/> </span> </h3> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 06:45:11 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/pgms-s-i-t-meeting-promotion-for-upcoming-meeting thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/pgms-welcome-back-to-school-dance-sponsored-by-drug-free-punta-gorda <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> LPGMS Welcome Back to School Dance sponsored by Drug Free Punta Gorda </span> <span> <br/> </span> </h3> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 06:26:55 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/pgms-welcome-back-to-school-dance-sponsored-by-drug-free-punta-gorda thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/lunch-activities-at-fsw-fsw-students-pledge-to-be-drug-free-during-red-ribbon-week-2022 <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Lunch activities and Red Ribbon Week at Charlotte High School. CHS students make their pledge to be drug free! </span> <span> <br/> </span> </h3> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 06:20:45 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/lunch-activities-at-fsw-fsw-students-pledge-to-be-drug-free-during-red-ribbon-week-2022 thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/lunch-activities-and-red-ribbon-week-at-charlotte-high-school-chs-students-make-their-pledge-to-be-drug-free <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Lunch activities and Red Ribbon Week at Charlotte High School. CHS students make their pledge to be drug free! </span> <span> <br/> </span> </h3> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 06:12:22 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/lunch-activities-and-red-ribbon-week-at-charlotte-high-school-chs-students-make-their-pledge-to-be-drug-free thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/fsw-lunch-activities-during-spirit-week <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> FSW Lunch Activities during Spirit Week </span> </h3> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 06:07:08 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/fsw-lunch-activities-during-spirit-week thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/dfpg-november-coalition-meeting-with-dr-joseph-pepe-and-pastor-mike-ford-receives-his-plaque-as-a-thank-you-and-recognition-for-h <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> DFPG November Coalition Meeting with Dr. Joseph Pepe and </span> </h3> <h3> <span> Pastor Mike Ford receives his plaque as a thank you and recognition for his support and dedication to DFPG </span> </h3> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 06:01:44 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/dfpg-november-coalition-meeting-with-dr-joseph-pepe-and-pastor-mike-ford-receives-his-plaque-as-a-thank-you-and-recognition-for-h thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/gifts-of-kindness-outreach/contest <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Punta Gorda Middle School, Charlotte High School, FSW Collegiate High School, and parents/general public were invited to participate in the Gifts Of Kindness Outreach/Contest. A raffle will be done at the end of the month to determine a winner from each school/group. The winners will receive 2 free tickets to Iguana Land or Escape Rooms Unlocked. </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> Thank you to all participants! You are making a difference! </span> </p> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 05:57:51 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/gifts-of-kindness-outreach/contest thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/2022-christmas-parade/centennial-bank-hot-dog-sale-fundraiser-for-dfpg <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> 2022 Christmas parade/Centennial Bank hot dog sale fundraiser for DFPG </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> We had volunteers from the Punta Gorda Middle School's Student Impact Team come out on Saturday, December 10th to the Centennial Bank parking lot to help us during this event.  </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> Thank you to Centennial Bank, our partner, and sponsor for this fundraiser! <br/> </span> </p> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 05:48:29 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/2022-christmas-parade/centennial-bank-hot-dog-sale-fundraiser-for-dfpg thumbnail main image https://www.drugfreepg.com/march-lunch-activities-at-charlotte-high-school <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> March Lunch Activities at Charlotte High School </span> </h3> </div> Wed, 31 May 2023 05:39:51 GMT https://www.drugfreepg.com/march-lunch-activities-at-charlotte-high-school thumbnail main image