December 2025

Wishing You a Wonderful Holiday Season

It seems hard to believe that we are already into the holiday season. This is a wonderful time of the year with all the decorations and lights indoors and outdoors -- Alexandria’s neighborhoods look so magical.

As we approach 2026, I am so very thankful for the commitment and support from all of you this past year. It takes a community to teach prevention and we wouldn't be able to educate, inform, and empower Alexandria youth to make informed choices without the support of our school and community partners. By working together, this past year we were able to:

• Deliver substance use prevention education workshops and assemblies to over 2,223 middle and high school students;
• Co-host the 12th annual Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference to facilitate youth-adult partnerships in our community;
• Partner with 55 Alexandria retailers to host Project Sticker Shock, a campaign that highlights the legal consequences of providing alcohol to persons under 21;
• Collect and safely dispose of over 1,500 pounds of unused, expired and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication during two drug take back day events and through the City of Alexandria's year-round permanent medication drop boxes;
• Give away 625 drug disposal kits and 704 locking medicine boxes to help families safely store medication; and
• Distribute over 2,066 free parent handbooks, a resource guide created by Operation Parent that raises awareness about the latest trends, warning signs, and tips for effective parent/child communication.

None of these accomplishments would have been possible without your support and commitment to SAPCA, its work and its mission. I am very thankful for you. The SAPCA Board of Directors and I wish you and your family safe, healthy, and very happy holidays!

Best wishes,

Allen Lomax

Chair, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria

Community Connections: Promoting Prevention Resources

Last month, SAPCA collaborated with our school and community partners to share prevention information and resources with youth and parents at several events.

On November 17, SAPCA Coordinator Emma Beall provided an overview of current and emerging youth substance use trends during the Alexandria City High School (ACHS) PTSA meeting. Emma also shared tips to help parents and caregivers support youth to make healthy choices, including:

• Communicate early and often;
• Learn and share information about the health impacts of substance use and the consequences of underage use;
• Encourage healthy coping strategies;
• Discuss peer pressure and how to respond; and
• Focus on building Developmental Assets, the building blocks that support positive, healthy development.

Click here to view the full presentation.

On December 2 and 3, Grant Coordinator Jamie Ciesla and SAPCA Coordinator Emma Beall delivered Facts and Consequences presentations to 97 Bishop Ireton High School 9th grade students. Last month, Jamie and Emma also delivered this presentation to 35 middle school and 13 high school students involved with Liberty's Promise, a program that supports low-income immigrant youth by providing them with means to become actively involved in civic life, pursue higher education, and embark upon meaningful careers. During Facts and Consequences presentations, students learn facts about alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and fentanyl and discussed healthy ways to cope with stress.

SAPCA appreciates these opportunities to connect with our community and looks forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners to highlight prevention information and resources.

Volunteer Opportunities Spotlight: SAPCA Committees

Want to make a difference in your community? SAPCA is looking for youth and adults to join one or more of our SAPCA committees.

Upcoming Meetings

Fundraising Committee

• Wednesday, December 17, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
• Meeting ID: 935 4099 0143 | Passcode: 227368

Video Development & Production Committee

• Monday, January 5, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• In-person at ACHS - Minnie Howard Campus. Contact Emma Beall at emma.beall@alexandriava.gov or 571.302.1022 to RSVP.

Policy & Advocacy Committee:

• Wednesday, January 14, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
• Meeting ID: 982 5017 2025 | Passcode: 316459

How Can I Help?

• Join the Fundraising Committee to help set fundraising goals and brainstorm fundraising strategies.
• Join the Video Development and Production Committee to choose topics for new videos and help film, edit, and produce videos.
• Join the Policy and Advocacy Committee to learn how policies are made, share ideas, monitor Virginia legislation, and build advocacy skills.

Interested in learning more? Complete our volunteer interest form or contact Emma Beall at emma.beall@alexandriava.gov.

Tips for Maintaining a Safe Home for the Holidays

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and connection. However, amidst the festive spirit, it's crucial to keep safety at the forefront. Check out these practical tips from Informed Families to ensure your home remains safe and welcoming for all this holiday season and year-round:

Secure Medications and Alcoholic Beverages

The holidays often bring together family members of all ages, making it vital to consider the safety of children and teenagers. One key step is securing any medications and alcoholic beverages. This not only prevents accidental ingestions but also discourages underage drinking. Consider using locked cabinets or special storage areas to keep these items out of reach. The Department of Community and Human Services offers free locking medication boxes for safe medication storage at-home. The City also offers several resources for safe disposal of unused or expired medication, including year-round permanent medication drop boxes, free drug disposal kits, and tips about safe medication disposal at home.

Host Alcohol-Free Celebrations

Contrary to popular belief, alcohol isn't a necessity for a memorable party. Embracing alcohol-free celebrations can promote inclusivity and well-being. Offer a variety of creative non-alcoholic beverages, like mocktails or festive punches, that are both delicious and fun. Incorporate games, music, and storytelling to connect and create lasting memories without the need for alcohol.

Create a Welcoming and Safe Environment

As a host, your goal is to create a warm and inclusive environment. Be attentive to your guests' needs and ensure everyone feels comfortable and respected. Offer non-alcoholic drink options and have a plan in place for guests who may need assistance getting home safely.

The holiday season is a time for joy, not worry. Let's make this holiday season not just merry but also safe and inclusive for everyone.

Recap: Civic Action Week Kickoff



Last month, Alexandria's Department of Community and Human Services partnered with Alexandria City Public Schools Social Studies Department to host the Civic Action Kickoff, engaging more than 700 students across three schools.

Nearly 50 City and community staff and 27 high school facilitators joined forces to help students explore the three priorities shaping the next Children & Youth Community Plan: Cost of Living, Physical & Psychological Safety, and School Conditions that Support Wellbeing. Building on the newly released Youth Needs Assessment, students shared lived experiences and powerful insights about the pressures families face, where safety measures could be stronger, and which school conditions most affect their wellbeing, everything from schedules and lunch services to transportation, bathrooms, and student behavior. Their ideas are now helping shape strategies for the next CYCP.



Want to get involved?

Partners, families, and community members are invited to get involved as we synthesize data and begin shaping strategies for the next Children & Youth Community Plan (CYCP). Explore the full Youth Needs Assessment to learn what young people shared last year and how you can support the work ahead. If interested in joining a work group or future youth engagement efforts, you can reach out to chelsea.eickert@alexandriava.gov to get connected.

Alexandria Youth Ambassadors Host Food Drive

Last month, the Alexandria Youth Ambassadors organized a food drive to support the City of Alexandria's Domestic Violence Program. Working as a team, youth placed collection boxes at various businesses throughout the City to collect non-perishable food, grocery store gift cards, and household items. Please join us in recognizing and thanking the Alexandria Youth Ambassadors for working together to make a difference in our community!

The Alexandria Youth Ambassadors are a group of high school students that support community engagement efforts focused on anti-violence, trauma healing, and social emotional learning. Contact Jasmine Coombs at jasmine.coombs@alexandriava.gov to learn more.

The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program program offers support to victims of domestic violence and their families and friends. Trained volunteers and staff are available 24 hours a day at 703.746.4911 to provide: 

• Crisis intervention and emotional support
• Advocacy with medical, police, and court systems
• Short-term individual and group counseling information and referrals

Learn more at alexandriava.gov/DomesticViolence.

Quick Links

Next Teen Winter Pool Jam: December 20

Save the date for the next Teen Winter Pool Jam on Saturday, December 20 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility ( 3795 W. Braddock Rd.) This free indoor pool party will feature music, games, food, prizes, and a whole lot of water fun just for middle and high school students! It's the perfect way to stay active, socialize, and make memories this winter. Learn more and RSVP for this free event here.

2026 DASHing Words in Motion: Call to the Community 

The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and DASH invite you to be part of a beloved community tradition: the 12th annual “DASHing Words in Motion” poetry contest. Open to writers ages 16 and older who live, work, or study in Alexandria, the contest welcomes original poems that showcase your unique voice, creativity, and connection to the city. Submit your poetry by Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5 p.m.  

Selected poems will be displayed inside DASH buses and trolleys throughout April during National Poetry Month, transforming everyday commutes into moments of inspiration for thousands of riders. 

To learn more about DASHing Words in Motion and other literary programs, visit alexandriava.gov/Arts.

Wizards Winter Reading Challenge 2026

The Washington Wizards and Alexandria Library challenge you to read, stay active, and get involved with the Wizards Winter Reading Challenge. Complete activities to earn badges. Earn the reading badge and at least one other badge to complete the challenge and win a prize, as well as a chance to win tickets to a Washington Wizards game!  Alexandria Library has everything you need to help you earn your Winter Challenge badges, including exciting reads for every age and interest, events, and opportunities to share online. 

The challenge runs from December 6, 2025, through March 1, 2026. Full contest details can be found at alexlibraryva.org/winter-reading. 

Enter the Teen Winter Creativity Contest!

Calling all artists and writers in grades 6-12: the Winter Teen Creativity Contest is back and better than ever! Enter your poem, short story, essay, 2D artwork, or 3D artwork for a chance to win up to $100! All participants will be recognized at the awards ceremony and gallery show opening in April 2025.

The contest runs from December 15, 2025 through February 15, 2026. For more information, contest rules, and to enter, visit alexlibraryva.org/winter-creativity-contest.

To learn more about Project Discovery, contact Alicia Washington at alicia.washington@alexandriava.gov. 

Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 

4850 Mark Center Drive

Alexandria, VA 22311