November 2025 Newsletter

November 2025

Announcements

Alexandria Celebrates Red Ribbon Week

Each year from October 23-31, SAPCA joins our community in celebrating Red Ribbon Week, the largest alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention awareness campaign. Red Ribbon Week is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. This year's theme was "Life Is A Puzzle. Solve It Drug Free."

SAPCA celebrated Red Ribbon Week by:

Recognizing Red Ribbon Week through a City proclamation.
Encouraging families to take the Red Ribbon Week Pledge to stand up against substance use.
Distributing 10,000 Red Ribbon Week wristbands to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) staff and administrators to share with students.
Sharing information with students during lunch at George Washington Middle School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School, and Alexandria City High School (ACHS) in partnership with ACPS, Inova Alexandria Hospital, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program.
Encouraging students to enter the Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest. Three winners will receive a $100 gift card and have their poster featured in Red Ribbon Week 2026! ACPS students can enter the poster contest until November 16, 2025.

Thanks to everyone who helped make these activities a huge success!

Project Sticker Shock Campaign Highlights Consequences of Providing Alcohol to Youth

Local shoppers were met with a powerful message last month as the City of Alexandria launched its annual Project Sticker Shock Campaign. The youth-led initiative began with a press conference at Charles Houston Recreation Center, where City officials, youth representatives, and community leaders spoke out about the critical need to prevent underage access to alcohol.

After the press event, 60 youth participants divided into teams and visited 55 retail locations, placing 1,100 warning stickers -- provided by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority -- on multi-packs of alcohol.

These stickers emphasize the legal consequences of supplying alcohol to individuals under 21. Each participating store received a certificate acknowledging their support and partnership.

The campaign targets adults aged 21 and older who may legally purchase alcohol but then unlawfully provide it to someone underage, a practice known as a second-party sale.

In Virginia, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to provide alcohol to a minor. It is also illegal for anyone to use a fake ID to purchase alcohol.

Adults that provide alcohol to persons under age 21 can face the following penalties upon conviction:

A $2,500 fine per young person given alcohol
Up to 12 months in jail
Loss of the driver’s license for up to 12 months.

To report concerns regarding the sale or provision of alcohol to youth under age 21, call the Alexandria Police Department’s non-emergency number at 703.746.4444 or file a report online to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.

This event was hosted by SAPCA; the Alexandria Police Department; the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office; DCHS; the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities; the ACHS U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program; the Peer Advocates; and the Alexandria Youth Ambassadors.

The JROTC program prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities and privileges as American citizens. Core courses include Techniques of Communications, Leadership Lab, Map Reading, History, Citizenship, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Cadet Challenge.

The Peer Advocates are a group of Alexandria youth and young adults who work closely with SAPCA, the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent 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 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.

Recap: Drug Take Back Day

On October 25, the City of Alexandria collected and safely disposed of 331 lbs. of unused, expired, and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications 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, the Alexandria Opioid Work Group, and the Alexandria Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) for their partnership to dispose of unused and expired medication safely.

We are also thankful for the wonderful MRC volunteers who supported outreach efforts during this event. Please join us in recognizing Arnold Rosenblatt, Peter Georgacopoulos, Beth Mahar, Elvin Seudieu, and Elizabeth Williams for their help promoting the City’s permanent medication drop boxes and distributing free at-home drug disposal kits.

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.

Community Connections: Promoting Prevention and Engaging Youth

Last month, SAPCA collaborated with Alexandria youth leaders, schools, and community partners to promote prevention and amplify the power of youth voices.

Throughout the month, the Peer Advocates presented three vaping prevention workshops to 67 middle school students. During these workshops, youth learned the facts and consequences of vaping before participating in a Blooket, an interactive game to test their knowledge. When asked what they enjoyed the most, students said the workshops were fun, informative, and engaging, helping them to learn new information and reinforce healthy choices.

On October 15, ACHS senior Yasin Bhuiyan, a Peer Advocate, and ACHS junior Calvin O'Brien, a Peer Advocate and SAPCA Board member, helped SAPCA distribute 140 free Parent Handbooks to families attending a presentation about safe teen driving at ACHS. Created by Operation Parent, these Parent Handbooks are a resource guide that raises awareness about the latest trends, warning signs, and tips for effective parent/child communication.

On October 16, several SAPCA youth leaders attended the annual CADCA Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards Dinner -- an inspiring evening highlighting prevention champions. Peer Advocates Calvin O'Brien and Yasin Bhuiyan and Alexandria Youth Ambassadors Madeline Barrientos, Olivia Bassingthwaite, Phoebe Booker, Lela Gormley-Kibona, Jewel Harris, and Elyas Noorzai joined SAPCA Coordinator Emma Beall and Youth Safety and Resilience Coordinator Jasmine Coombs at this event. The evening featured a delicious dinner, live music from Alexandria’s School of Rock, and inspiring speeches from youth and adult champions working to create drug-free communities. Students left energized and motivated to make a difference in their schools and neighborhoods.

On October 21 and 22, SAPCA Coordinator Emma Beall presented Facts and Consequences to more than 120 ACHS students involved in the JROTC program. During these presentations, youth learned about the health, legal, and social consequences of using alcohol, e-cigarettes, marijuana, and prescription and over-the-counter medication. Students also discussed tools to cope with stress in a healthy way and learned about the City of Alexandria's Teen Text Line. Through this free resource, teens and their parents can text TEEN, SEX, DRUGS, or GANGS to 571.640.2898 to get answers to questions on health, relationships, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, violence, and gangs within 24 hours, Monday through Friday, from trained City staff. Learn more about youth resources here.

On October 21 and 23, the Alexandria Youth Ambassadors engaged with nearly 200 ACHS students during lunch to raise awareness about the risks of substance use and encourage students to make healthy, substance-free choices. Students spun a trivia wheel to test their knowledge about alcohol, marijuana, and making safe decisions. The activity sparked great conversations -- several students were surprised by the facts they learned and many shared their own reasons to stay substance-free. Students also tried on alcohol and marijuana impairment goggles, a hands-on way to see how these substances can affect coordination, judgment, and reaction time. The activity was fun and engaging, while also showing the real risks of alcohol and marijuana use and encouraging healthy, substance-free choices.

SAPCA appreciates these opportunities to connect with our community and looks forward to continuing to raise awareness about resources and events that support Alexandria’s children, youth, and families.

Five Things You Should Know: What is 7-OH?

You've likely heard about vaping or the dangers of fake pills, but what about 7-OH? Keep reading to learn five things you need to know about this emerging synthetic drug.

What is it?

7-OH, or 7-hydroxymitragynine, is a synthetic compound made in a lab. Because it’s man-made, its strength and effects can be unpredictable -- and sometimes dangerous.

How is 7-OH made?

7-OH is made from the Kratom plant leaf, but is heavily altered in a lab. These chemical changes make it about 13 times stronger than a normal dose of morphine. It is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical use and is not considered safe as a food, supplement, or treat.

What do these products look like?

Often sold in gas stations, vape shops, and online, the FDA warns consumers that these products can resemble everyday treats like gummies, candies, or even ice cream, making them easy to mistake for regular snacks.

What are some of the risks?

Since 7-OH is a strong opioid, even small doses can have a powerful effect on the body. Using these products may lead to dependence. Additionally, even small amounts may cause an opioid overdose.

What can I do?

Talk as a family about the difference between medicines, dietary supplements, and other products. Encourage your children to always check with a healthcare provider before taking anything new.
Talk with your children early and often about drugs and alcohol. Even short talks can make a big difference.
When buying candy or other treats for you or your family, examine the packaging and label carefully.
Stay informed and report concerns: If you believe someone is experiencing an adverse event from a 7-OH product, contact the Poison Help Line at 1.800.222.1222 or visit PoisonHelp.org.

Volunteer Opportunities Spotlight: SAPCA Committees

Do you want to make a difference in your community? SAPCA is looking for youth and adults interested in joining one or more SAPCA committees.

Join the Fundraising Committee to:

Help set fundraising goals and plan how to reach them;
Brainstorm ideas for fundraising events, campaigns, and strategies; and
Track fundraising progress and celebrate successes.

Join the Policy and Advocacy Committee to:

Learn how policies and laws are made;
Share ideas for new policies;
Monitor legislation in the Virginia General Assembly; and
Build skills to be strong advocates.

Join the Video Development and Production Committee to:

Help choose topics for new videos;
Create short videos that promote healthy and positive activities;
Make Q&A-style videos to raise awareness regarding the consequences of youth substance use; and
Help film, edit, and produce videos.

Meeting dates and times for each committee will be set in the coming months. Interested in learning more? Complete our volunteer interest form or contact Emma Beal at emma.beall@alexandriava.gov.

Rooted in Justice: Youth Advocacy at the Crossroads of Health and Culture

Young people are increasingly at the forefront of the fight for health justice, and their voices are reshaping conversations about health equity in communities of color. Join the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for a virtual conversation series on November 18 at 7 p.m. to hear from young leaders who are confronting systemic barriers and uplifting their communities through bold, culturally-rooted action.

Learn more and register for this virtual event here.

The Power of Connection: A Parent's Greatest Protective Tool

Just in time for the holiday season, join Operation Parent for a free webinar on December 2 at 1 p.m. focused on the kind of connection that protects kids at every age. Author and therapist Susan Caso will explore how meaningful conversations and emotional safety create a powerful buffer against stress, peer pressure, and the challenges of growing up in a digital world. Attendees will walk away with strategies to strengthen bonds, rebuild trust, and help children feel supported all year long.

Even if you can’t join live, everyone who registers will receive the recording in both English and Spanish. These webinars are a chance to finish the year feeling grounded, supported, and equipped with tools that make a real difference for kids and families. Click here to learn more.

Learn more about SAPCA

Subscribe to SAPCA's e-mail list

Make a tax-deductible donation to support local prevention efforts

Quick Links

Upcoming Events & Resources

Help Toys4ALX Bring Joy to Alexandria Children!

The holiday season is here -- and so is the need! More than 850 families have already registered for toys through Holiday Sharing, representing over 700 children ages 0–10 who deserve something special this year.

To make sure every child receives three new, unwrapped toys, Volunteer Alexandria is calling on the community to step up! Here’s how you can make a difference:

Volunteer: Helping hands are needed for toy collection, sorting, distribution, and more.
Be a Collection Site: Apartment buildings, workplaces, and community spaces make perfect drop-off spots. Help us spread the spirit of giving where you live or work!
Donate or Sponsor: Your financial contributions and sponsorships enable our community to serve more families.

Collection runs November 17 – December 10.

Sorting and pick-up take place December 11–13.

Join the movement at Toys4ALX and help make holiday magic happen for Alexandria’s children!

Make a Difference Together on Family Volunteer Day

Did you know that volunteering as a family strengthens bonds, fosters empathy and social skills? and creates shared positive memories. Participate in Family Volunteer Day on November 22, a global celebration of the incredible impact families can make when they unite to support their communities and neighborhoods.

Click here to learn more about this fun opportunity to create positive family memories.

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.