December 2023

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 2024, 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 4,300 youth at Alexandria City High School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School, George Washington Middle School, Jefferson Houston PreK-8 IB School, Patrick Henry K-8 School, Bishop Ireton High School, and Commonwealth Academy;
• Co-host the 10th annual Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference to facilitate youth-adult partnerships in our community.
• Host a family-friendly community celebration of SAPCA’s fifteenth year anniversary to recognize our community's prevention efforts, wonderful partners, and several of our community's prevention champions;
• Partner with over 50 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 2,050 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 400 drug disposal kits to provide safe mediation disposal at-home and 900 locking medicine boxes to help families safely store medication; and
• Distribute over 1,600 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

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.

Safety Tips for Avoiding Impaired Driving



This holiday season, don't risk missing out on precious time with the ones you love. Follow these simple guidelines from the Virginia DMV for avoiding impaired driving and get home safe and sound.

Preventing Drunk & Drugged Driving

• Plan for a sober ride home (taxi, Uber, Lyft or a sober friend) before a night out.
• Remember, Virginia law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol. Additionally, Virginia's zero tolerance law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from operating a motor vehicle if they have been drinking alcohol.
• Be a responsible host by making sure all guests leave with a sober ride. If providing alcohol, only serve individuals age 21 or older.
• If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, find out the potential effects the drugs could have on your driving before getting behind the wheel.

Preventing Distracted Driving

• Before you go, plan ahead, Set up the directions to your destination and select your music before you drive.
• Park before you eat.
• Set your phone on silent or put it on "do not disturb."
• Don't become a distracting passenger. Help the driver and be an extra pair of eyes on the road.

Preventing Drowsy Driving

• Get enough sleep before driving.
• Always check your prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to see if drowsiness could result from their use.
• Before starting a long car trip, get a good night's sleep and plan stops along the way.

Learn more about preventing impaired driving, supporting teens to drive safely, and state laws here.

Resources

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.

Find more information about resources that support the well-being, safety, and self-sufficiency of Alexandria residents at alexandriava.gov/DCHS.

Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 

4850 Mark Center Drive

Alexandria, VA 22311