NOPE of Hillsborough

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NOPE of Hillsborough

Narcotics Overdose Prevention Education
Our mission is to prevent drug use, abuse, and overdose through educating children, families, and community.

08/21/2026

September is almost here, and so is an opportunity to turn a meal out into meaningful support for prevention education in our community.

NOPE Hillsborough is participating in the 29th Annual Community Harvest, an initiative that gives diners at participating 1905 Family of Restaurants locations the opportunity to vote for a local nonprofit after their meal.

From September 1–30, when you dine at Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center or Tampa International Airport, Ulele, Casa Santo Stefano, or Cha Cha Coconuts, you can cast your ballot for NOPE Hillsborough.

Those votes translate into support that helps NOPE continue bringing overdose prevention education to students and families across Hillsborough County, including the school presentations and community education that create important conversations before a tragedy occurs.

Enjoy a meal, cast your vote, and help us reach more people with education that can save lives.

September 1–30. Choose NOPE Hillsborough on the Community Harvest ballot.

08/19/2026

The right conversation at the right time can make a lasting impact.

NOPE Hillsborough is looking for family speakers and presentation moderators to help bring honest, life-saving prevention education directly to local students. These presentations create an opportunity to talk openly about substance use, overdose, the consequences of addiction, and the choices young people face.

For family speakers, sharing a personal story can help students understand that these issues are real and can affect any family. Presentation moderators help guide those conversations and make sure students receive a clear, meaningful message they can carry with them beyond the classroom.

NOPE provides the training, materials, and support volunteers need to step into the classroom with confidence. What we need are people willing to show up, speak honestly, and help us continue reaching students throughout Hillsborough County.

Your voice belongs in the room, and your perspective could be the one that reaches someone.

Learn more and volunteer today at nopehillsborough.org

08/12/2026

Make your next meal count for something more.

It is that time of year again. Throughout September, NOPE Hillsborough is proud to be part of the 29th Annual Community Harvest.

When you dine at a participating 1905 Family of Restaurants location, you’ll have the opportunity to vote for NOPE Hillsborough and help support overdose prevention education for students and families across our community.

Participating locations include Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center and Tampa International Airport, Ulele in Tampa Heights, and Casa Santo Stefano in Ybor City.

Dine. Vote. Support NOPE.

Mark your calendars and join us September 1–30 and choose NOPE Hillsborough after your meal!

Columbia Restaurant

08/07/2026

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
Join our Journey to Healing Hearts support group. We meet every second Saturday of the month at 10am. We are a support group for those who have lost a loved one to any drug or alcohol related incident.
No one should walk alone in their grief journey. Together we heal.
The meeting location has changed to Root Awakening Farm in Tampa. The address is 110 E Hanlon Street, Tampa FL 33604
If you have not been to or heard of Root Awakening Farm, you are in for a treat. It is located right in the heart of Sulphur Springs – on the river – across from the water tower. It is a beautiful and tranquil setting. The farm creates a healing environment for individuals in recovery through integrated wellness, sustainable farming, and community support.

08/04/2026

Discovering that your teen might be using drugs or alcohol is one of the most terrifying moments a parent can face.

Your instinct might be to panic, yell, or immediately issue punishments. But how you react in those first few moments can set the tone for everything that follows.

If you suspect your child is using substances, take a deep breath and follow these four critical steps:

Stay Calm and Collected. Do not confront them while you are angry or while they are under the influence. Wait until you both have a clear head so the conversation does not immediately turn into a screaming match.

Secure Your Home. Immediately lock up any prescription medications, alcohol, or other potential hazards in your house. Do not leave temptation or danger easily accessible.

Start a Conversation. Approach them with love and curiosity, not accusation. Ask open questions like, "I have noticed some changes lately, and I am worried about you. Can we talk?" Focus entirely on their health and well-being.

Seek Professional Guidance. You do not have to navigate this alone. Reach out to a pediatrician, a licensed counselor, or a prevention specialist who can help you determine the best next steps for your family.

We are here to support parents through the hardest conversations. We provide education, resources, and a community that understands exactly what you are going through.

Visit nopehillsborough.org to learn more, find support, or join our mission to save lives.

07/24/2026

Your voice has the power to change the course of a life.

We believe that education is the most powerful tool we have in the fight against substance use and overdose. But that education requires passionate, dedicated voices to carry the message forward.

We are currently looking for volunteer family speakers and presentation moderators to join our team and help us deliver life-saving presentations to middle and high school students in Hillsborough County.

You do not need to be a professional public speaker to make an impact. We provide all the training and support you need to feel confident stepping in front of a classroom, whether you choose to moderate our NOPE presentation script or share the story of a young family member lost to a substance overdose.

When you stand up and speak out, you are breaking the stigma. You are giving students the facts they need to make safer choices. You are showing them that their community cares about their future.

Are you ready to use your voice for good?

Visit nopehillsborough.org to learn more about our speaker training program and sign up to volunteer today.

07/22/2026

Is it just a phase, or is it something more?

The teenage years are full of changes, and it can be incredibly difficult for parents to tell the difference between normal adolescent development and the early warning signs of substance use.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are several key behavioral shifts that parents should never ignore. If your teen is suddenly withdrawing from family, changing friend groups completely, experiencing unexplained drops in their grades, or having extreme and unusual mood swings, it is time to pay closer attention.

Substance use often hides behind closed bedroom doors and excuses of “just being a teenager.” The longer we wait to address these behaviors, the harder it becomes to intervene effectively.

You know your child better than anyone else. If your instincts are telling you that something is wrong, do not wait. Start the conversation today. Approach them with love, curiosity, and support rather than anger or accusation.

At NOPE Hillsborough, we are dedicated to bringing these life-saving prevention messages to students and parents across our community. But we cannot do it without you. If you are passionate about protecting our youth and saving lives, we need your voice.

Visit nopehillsborough.org to join our team and become a volunteer today.

07/17/2026

The va**ng epidemic is hiding in plain sight.

According to the latest Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS), nearly 1 in 7 high school students in Hillsborough County reported currently va**ng ma*****na or ni****ne.

Many teens believe that va**ng is a safer alternative to smoking, often mistaking the aerosol for harmless water v***r. The reality is far more dangerous. Vapes deliver highly concentrated, addictive chemicals directly to the developing adolescent brain, increasing the risk of long-term substance use disorders and severe mental health challenges.

The sleek designs and fruity flavors are intentionally created to appeal to youth, making it harder for parents to spot the warning signs. We have to stay informed, and we have to start talking to our kids about the real risks of va**ng before they are pressured to try it.

We are actively fighting this epidemic by bringing life-saving prevention education directly into our local schools. But we need your help to reach every student.

Talk to your kids today. Learn what modern vapes look like. And join us in the fight to protect our youth.

Visit nopehillsborough.org to learn how you can volunteer, donate, or support our mission today.

07/10/2026

Every number represents a person, a family, and a story.

While overdose deaths in Florida have declined, the work is far from over.

NOPE volunteer Belle Amoroso knows that reality firsthand.

Her son C**t grew up creative, fearless, and full of personality. A second-generation tattoo artist, he started learning the craft as a child and eventually worked alongside his mom at their family tattoo shop.

But behind the confidence and energy was a battle many families know too well.

What began as anxiety and later exposure to prescription pain medication after a dental procedure eventually led to years of struggling with addiction.

Today, Belle honors C**t’s memory by sharing his story and volunteering with NOPE to help educate families, students, and communities about the realities of substance use and addiction.

Every presentation and every conversation is about reaching one more person, one more student, and one more family.
Because even one life lost is one too many.

Watch Belle’s full conversation with Wendy Ryan to hear C**t’s story and the mission behind her advocacy.

https://www.tampabay28.com/community/mental-health/local-mom-fights-to-save-others-after-losing-her-son-to-a-fentanyl-overdose

07/08/2026

Early use changes everything.

According to the latest 2024 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS), 9.4% of high school students in Hillsborough County reported using ma*****na in the past 30 days. While that number is concerning, the real danger lies in when that use begins.

Research shows that early initiation of substance use, specifically before the age of 14, is one of the strongest predictors of developing a highly problematic substance use disorder later in life. The adolescent brain is still developing, making it incredibly vulnerable to the lasting impacts of drugs and alcohol.

We cannot afford to wait until high school to start talking to our kids. The conversations must happen earlier, and the education must start sooner.

At NOPE Hillsborough, we are dedicated to bringing these critical, life-saving messages to middle and high school students before it is too late. But we need your help to reach every classroom and every family.

Talk to your kids today. Learn the warning signs. And join us in the fight to protect our youth.

Visit nopehillsborough.org to learn how you can volunteer, donate, or support our mission today.

Address

PO Box 271269
Tampa, FL
33688

Website

http://www.nopehillsborough.org/

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