NOPE of Hillsborough

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

Your next meal can help support prevention education for students and families across Hillsborough County.Now through Se...
09/04/2026

Your next meal can help support prevention education for students and families across Hillsborough County.

Now through September 30, dine at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Columbia Café at Tampa Bay History Center or Tampa International Airport, Ulele in Tampa Heights, or Casa Santo Stefano in Ybor City.

When you receive your ballot with the check, choose NOPE Hillsborough. The 1905 Family Of Restaurants will donate 5% of your food and beverage purchase at no additional cost to you.

Dine out. Choose NOPE. Support prevention.

NOPE Hillsborough’s annual Candlelight Vigil has always been a meaningful time for our community to come together, remem...
09/02/2026

NOPE Hillsborough’s annual Candlelight Vigil has always been a meaningful time for our community to come together, remember those we have lost, support families impacted by overdose, and find hope in one another.

This year, we are taking the opportunity to reimagine what that experience can be.

There will be no Candlelight Vigil this October as we work toward creating a renewed experience centered on remembrance, healing, and hope.

While the event may be changing, its purpose remains as important as ever. We look forward to sharing more about what comes next and continuing to honor the lives and families at the heart of NOPE Hillsborough’s mission.

Stay tuned for future updates.

Prevention is not only about warning young people about the risks. It is also about reinforcing the healthy decisions th...
08/27/2026

Prevention is not only about warning young people about the risks. It is also about reinforcing the healthy decisions the majority of students are already making and giving them the knowledge and confidence to keep making them.

But the work is far from finished.

NOPE Hillsborough continues to bring prevention education directly into local schools, creating honest conversations about substance use, overdose, and the real consequences these choices can have. Reaching more students means having more people willing to help carry that message.

We are always looking for volunteers, family speakers, and presentation moderators who want to make a difference in Hillsborough County.

Help us keep the momentum going and reach the students who still need to hear it.

Learn more and volunteer at nopehillsborough.org

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

The right conversation at the right time can make a lasting impact.NOPE Hillsborough is looking for family speakers and ...
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

Make your next meal count for something more.It is that time of year again. Throughout September, NOPE Hillsborough is p...
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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8Join our Journey to Healing Hearts support group. We meet every second Saturday of the month at 10am. ...
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.

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

Your voice has the power to change the course of a life.We believe that education is the most powerful tool we have in t...
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.

Is it just a phase, or is it something more?The teenage years are full of changes, and it can be incredibly difficult fo...
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.

Address

PO Box 271269
Tampa, FL
33688

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