May 2025 Newsletter

May 2025

Announcements

City of Alexandria Recognizes Alcohol Awareness Month

Each April, communities across the country recognize Alcohol Awareness Month to share information about the facts and consequences of alcohol use and to raise awareness about the causes and effects of a substance use disorder. This past April, youth, parents and caregivers, and community members participated in several prevention efforts and awareness activities, including:

Joining SAPCA for a reception to celebrate this year’s Red Ribbon Week poster contest winners on April 22. In addition to receiving a $100 gift card, the Red Ribbon Week poster contest winners were also recognized during the presentation of a proclamation recognizing April as Alcohol Awareness Month.
Learning the risks associated with youth alcohol use.
Raising awareness about the legal consequences of providing alcohol to people under 21.
Checking out SAPCA's "I don't drink because..." campaign. Alexandria City High School (ACHS) students created videos to encourage youth to be alcohol free. These videos reinforce the social norm that most youth in Alexandria do not drink alcohol, a trend to get behind.

"I was inspired by this year's theme 'Life is a Movie. Film Drug Free.' In my poster, you can see the life of a person that was using drugs change. With the help of his family, he was able to live his life. I want this movie to be [a] message for all the people in the world." - Zahra Frozanfar, 2024 Poster Contest Winner

"My poster promotes a drug-free lifestyle by demonstrating people from different backgrounds and cultures coming together to do things that people who do drugs would normally struggle with. Each of the events on my poster show recording signs for the theme 'Life is a Movie. Film Drug Free.' This poster was really fun to draw...it also helped me learn more about drug-free lifestyles and how drugs can affect your health." - Ruby Behr, 2024 Poster Contest Winner

"My poster promotes a drug-free lifestyle by addressing the struggles substance abuse can lead to through visual art. The poster I created is drawn to depict the isolation that a person struggling with addiction can experience. A person may turn to substance use in order to find an escape; however, I drew the way a person [can] be weighed down by substance abuse as a result." - Khamille Muhammad, 2024 Poster Contest Winner

To complement these efforts, SAPCA members will continue to share prevention resources with Alexandria families year-round. During the upcoming Alexandria Community Cookouts, SAPCA members will distribute brochures highlighting the Developmental Assets -- the building blocks for healthy development -- and parent handbooks.

Developed by Operation Parent, these parent handbooks raise awareness about the latest trends, warning signs, and tips for effective parent/child communication. City of Alexandria families can pick up these free resources at upcoming community cookouts or request these materials by emailing emma.beall@alexandriava.gov

Together, we can ensure that youth in Alexandria have the information and tools to make informed choices about their health and future so they can thrive today, tomorrow and in the future.

To learn about other ways to support local efforts to prevent youth substance use and misuse, contact Emma Beall at emma.beall@alexandriava.gov

Recap: Drug Take Back Day

On April 26, the City of Alexandria collected and safely disposed of 266 lbs. of unused, expired, and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication collected during Drug Take Back Day. SAPCA thanks and recognizes the Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Sheriff's Office, Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray, Fire Station 210, Walgreens Pharmacy at Bradlee Shopping Center, Wegmans, Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, the Alexandria Opioid Work Group, and the Alexandria Medical Reserve Corps for their partnership to dispose of unused and expired medication safely.

We are also thankful for the wonderful volunteers that supported outreach efforts during drug take back day. Please join us in recognizing Arnold Rosenblatt, Barbara Beach, Candace Ross, Elizabeth Williams, Emily Hodges, Louis Mejia, and Paul Linseisen for their help promoting the City’s permanent medication drop boxes and distributing free harm reduction bags containing Naloxone, a safe and easy-to-administer nasal spray that can save the life of someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

Needles are not accepted in the permanent medication drop boxes. Dispose of needles and syringes at a separate permanent drop box specifically for these items located inside the visitor's entrance at Inova Alexandria Hospital. The box is accessible at the same location and hours as the hospital’s drop off box for medications.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids for more information about safe medicine disposal and to learn about Alexandria’s efforts regarding the opioid crisis

Recap: Alexandria Youth Speak Up

On April 10, over 100 youth and adults attended Alexandria Youth Speak Up. During this youth-led event, middle and high school students discussed the issues they are facing, including substance use. After these discussions, youth and adults discussed solutions to address these issues.

Stay tuned for a summary of key themes shared by youth attendees to support community leaders to integrate this information into current and future program offerings, policy efforts, and initiatives.

This event was organized by the Alexandria Youth Ambassadors, high school and young adult Peer Advocates, and the Peer Advisors.

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 to learn more.

The Peer Advocates are a group of Alexandria youth and young adults who work closely with SAPCA, the Alexandria C a mpaign on A do l escen t Pregnancy (ACAP), and the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center to support prevention and outreach efforts. Contact Leia Stuart and Alina Selnick-Escobar to learn more.

The Peer Advisors mentor younger youth, give public presentations on prevention topics, and participate in community service projects. Through this afterschool leadership program, Peer Advisors also participate in trainings about peer pressure resistance skills, tobacco prevention, mediation, leadership, and public speaking. Contact Jennifer Ford to learn more.

This event was hosted by SAPCA, ACAP, the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center, and the Children, Youth & Families Collaborative Commission.

Community Connections: Promoting Prevention Resources

Last month, SAPCA collaborated with our school and community partners by promoting prevention resources with youth and parents.

On April 10, SAPCA Coordinator Emma Beall and Opioid Work Group Coordinator Hope Sievers delivered Facts and Consequences to 84 Blessed Sacrament School middle school students. During these presentations, students learned facts about alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and fentanyl and discussed healthy ways to cope with stress.

On April 26, volunteer Lorraine Berko joined several Alexandria Youth Ambassadors and Peer Advocates to help distribute resources to families attending the Alexandria Spring Invitational Cheer Competition. We are appreciative of Loraine; ACHS sophomores Kahleia Green, Madeline Barrientos, Olivia Bassingthwaite, and Tae'Lyr Colston; and ACHS junior Yasin Bhuiyan for their help promoting free community resources, including the City of Alexandria's Teen Text Line.

On April 29, SAPCA joined the Opioid Work Group in recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day by supporting outreach efforts at the Del Pepper Community Resource. Working together, clients and community members received information about prevention, treatment, and recovery alongside health promotion resources.

On April 29, SAPCA and ACAP staff attended a Summer Resource Fair at ACHS to connect students and families with prevention resources and spread the word about the 2025 Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference (YLC).

This free event, open to rising 9th through 12th graders residing in the City of Alexandria, will be held August 12-14. Registration information is coming soon – text YLC to 571.640.2898 to be notified when registration opens!

SAPCA appreciates these opportunities to connect with our community and looks forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners to promote prevention resources and ways to get involved in our community.

Five Things You Should Know: Mental Health Spotlight

Each May, communities around the country recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month to address the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Nationally, nearly one in five youth will experience a mental health challenge such as depression or anxiety at some point during their life. Making a plan to to support your mental health can help you take care of yourself and others. Here are five tips for maintaining positive mental health this month and year-round.

Pay attention to your feelings

Remember that it is okay to feel unhappy sometimes. Recognizing your feelings is the first step to addressing and nurturing them.

Practice self-care

It is important to schedule time for yourself and activities that recharge your mind and body. This may include reading a good book, working out, spending time in nature, and practicing stress management skills, such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness. It is also important to remember to prioritize necessities, including eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep, and finding time for exercise.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

They don’t actually reduce stress: in fact, they often worsen it. If you’re struggling with substance use, misuse, or abuse, help is available.

Find support

Whether it’s with friends, family, a counselor or a support group, airing out and talking can help. Consider attending a free support group provided by NAMI Northern Virginia. If you or someone you love is experiencing a crisis, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

Know when to seek help

If you feel that your mental health struggles are becoming overwhelming and difficult to handle, it is important to seek help and know that treatment is available. Information about behavioral health services for children and families in Alexandria can be found here.

Click here to review other local and national resources for getting help.

NAMI Northern Virginia is an organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness that advocates for better lives for those individuals who have a mental illness. Learn more about NAMI Northern Virginia here.