January 2026

Resolve to Dispose of Unused Medication Safely

As you kick-off the new year, we hope you will carve out some time to clean out your home medicine cabinet to support our community's efforts to safely dispose of unused, expired, and unneeded medications. Thanks to our community, in 2025 the City safely disposed of over 2,000 lbs. of medication.

Be in that number in 2026 by resolving to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including pet prescriptions, at these Alexandria drop-box locations:

• Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray 2204 Mt Vernon Ave., open Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sat: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Inova Alexandria Hospital Emergency Department 4320 Seminary Rd.; available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. 

• Alexandria Police Department Headquarters 3600 Wheeler Ave., just inside front entrance, available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day 

Needles are not accepted in permanent medication drop boxes. Dispose of needles and syringes at a separate permanent drop box for these items located at Inova Alexandria Hospital at the same location and hours as the permanent medication drop box.

Help eliminate opioid misuse and its harmful effects throughout Alexandria by learning more about the importance of safe medication disposal and sharing this information with others. You could save a life. Learn more at alexandriava.gov/opioids.

Five Things You Should Know about Marijuana

Last month, President Trump signed Executive Order 14370, "Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research," which directs the Attorney General to expedite the rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act. 

While this process is under review, marijuana use remains illegal under federal law, with laws about marijuana use, sale, and possession varying state-by-state.

In Virginia, marijuana use is legal for adults 21 years or older, with certain conditions.

Here are five things you should know about marijuana:

1. Marijuana -- also called cannabis -- is a term used for edible, inhalable, topical, or other products made from the cannabis plant. Commonly used marijuana products include candy, baked goods, and vape pens.

2. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive component in marijuana. In most cases, people use THC to refer to delta-9 THC. THC can be extracted from the cannabis plant, and products made with THC in its concentrated form can be strong. It is illegal for those under 21 years of age to purchase or consume THC products in Virginia. 

3. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound in the cannabis plant used in products such as topicals, oils, inhalants, and edibles. CBD is nonintoxicating when used in normal doses. Smokeable/inhalable CBD products are illegal for those under 21 years of age to purchase or consume. 

4. Marijuana has several effects on the developing brain and body. Youth marijuana use can result in:

• Poor decision-making skills
• Poor impulse control
• Changes in memory
• Decreased coordination
• Decreased attention
• Loss of motivation; and
• Increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and paranoia

5. As a parent/guardian, you are one of the biggest influences in your child’s life. Demonstrating healthy and safe decision making encourages your child to follow your lead and learn to develop responsible habits. It’s important to start talking to your child about marijuana early. Age-appropriate conversations can help your child understand the risks of marijuana use. Use the following tips to have open and honest conversations about marijuana: 

• Provide clear and factual information
• Emphasize that your primary concerns are health and safety
• Include dialogue on being a leader, making positive choices, and identifying trusted adults
• Be prepared to listen and answer questions.

To learn more about marijuana, visit cca.virginia.gov

Volunteer Opportunities Spotlight: SAPCA Committee

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

Policy & Advocacy Committee:

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

Join the Policy and Advocacy Committee to learn how policies are made, share ideas, monitor Virginia legislation, and build advocacy skills.

SAPCA is also looking for youth and adults to:

• 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 video

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

Quick Links

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.

Summer Youth Employment Program applications are due January 31, 2026.

Click here to learn more and apply!

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.

Department of Community and Human Services Request for Grant Proposals

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is pleased to announce that the Alexandria Fund for Human Services (AFHS) is now accepting grant proposals for the FY 2027-2029 grant cycle.

Through a competitive grant application process, AFHS provides funding to nonprofit organizations whose programs and services meet human service needs for the City's most marginalized residents across the lifespan to ensure wellbeing, safety, self-sufficiency, and resilience through equitable processes, practices, and outcomes.

The three grant categories include: 

• Standard Grants ($10,001-$75,000),
• Mini Grants ($7,000-$10,000), and
• Incubator Grants ($7,000-$10,000).

Important Dates:

• Pre-Proposal Training Sessions:
• Standard Grants: January 14, 9-11 a.m. | Register here
• Mini/Incubator Grants: January 15, 9-11 a.m. | Register here
• Proposal Deadline: February 17, 5 p.m.
• Award Announcements: June 2026

For complete information, links to the applications, and to register for training sessions, visit alexandriava.gov/dchs/alexandria-fund-for-human-services

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. 

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