NOPE of Pinellas offers high-impact multimedia presentations to middle and high school students in both public and private schools. Each assembly is purposeful and free of charge to the school.

The NOPE message is delivered from several perspectives including a moderator, law enforcement and parents who have suffered the loss of a child from overdose.

The presentation reinforces middle and high school drug education curriculum and offers the students local community stories to reinforce the idea that the drug problem is right here in our community and that needs their attention and support for positive changes.

The NOPE presentation is purposefully blunt and evokes powerful emotions. The response from students, parents and teachers has been very positive. Many students reach out to NOPE's wealth of resources beyond the presentation and seek guidance for themselves or to get help for a friend.

"A young woman once told me that she recently refused pills offered at a party because she'd remembered Landon’s story and how just one of night of experimentation cost him his life. 

This is why I tell Landon’s story—to potentially save one life by planting seeds that may stop a tragic decision."

- Susan Korabek, mother of Landon Korabek who died in 2010 from a prescription drug overdose. 

NOPE of Pinellas offers an interactive forum for parent groups, civic organizations, church and synagogue groups.

The presentation strives to educate the audience not only on the national drug epidemic but on local drug abuse trends and subsequent overdose deaths. Strategies are discussed to combat the issues both in the home and in the community.

The 60 minute agenda includes a law enforcement official who describes the current drug trends, parents who share their child's tragic story and a local physician who educates the group on drug characteristics and impact.

"The presentation is sobering. You're listening to parents that have kids that you think you have. Perfectly normal, clean cut, they aren’t going to get into this sort of thing. You realize it can happen to any of us."

- Parent at a recent NOPE Presentation

Annual NOPE Pinellas candlelight vigiL

** Vigil is cancelled for October 17, 2024. Reschedule is TBD **

Plan to join us for the annual candlelight vigil on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Largo Central Park, 7:00pm.

Every year in October, the NOPE Pinellas Candlelight Vigil brings the community together to remember those lost to and suffering from substance abuse. 

We hold the annual vigil to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction so that those suffering with the disease will openly seek help. It is a time for hope and comfort, to know that you are not alone.

The Memory Wall serves as a memorial where attendees may hang an unframed photo (no larger than 5x7) of someone lost to an overdose or other addiction. The placement of messages and notes helps to lift our hearts in memory of our loved ones. The wall is a space to pause in silence as we remember those who no longer struggle with their addiction.

The vigil program includes inspirational messages from local leaders and performances by local high school chorus.  The night closes with a keynote speaker and the lighting of candles.

The vigil is open to anyone and everyone in the Tampa Bay area. We encourage families and high school students to attend.     

"The vigil has allowed me to remember my son in a place surrounded by others who understand. I’m not judged by my son’s passing and I find comfort being around so many people in our community who care.

- Susan Korabek, mother of Landon Korabek 

Submit a photo of your loved one to be shown in memorial video

Your photo will be included in a video only to be displayed on the large screen. Photo will not be printed and posted on the Memorial Wall. Submission deadline is October 7, 2024.

The Memorial Wall at the vigil is a place for attendees to post pictures of their loved ones. Pictures are to be no larger than 5x7” and not framed. Please DO NOT SEND PICTURES and expect them to be posted on the Memorial Wall as NOPE will not print them.