October 2024

Project Sticker Shock Campaign Highlights Consequences of Providing Alcohol to Youth

On Saturday, October 5, teams of youth and adults "shocked" local shoppers by hosting the Project Sticker Shock Campaign. Alexandria City High School (ACHS) students involved in the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program kicked-off this youth-led event with a press conference featuring guest speakers SAPCA Chair Allen Lomax, Mayor Justin Wilson, Acting Assistant Police Chief Jamie Bridgeman, and Sheriff Sean Casey.

Following this press conference, teams of youth and adults visited 50 Alexandria retailers to place warning stickers on multi-packs of alcohol to highlight the legal consequences of providing alcohol to persons under 21. Retailers who participated in the campaign include Giant Food, Safeway, 7-Eleven, and a host of small grocery and convenience stores.  All participating retail stores received a certificate in recognition of their partnership to prevent underage alcohol access.

This campaign aims to reach community members ages 21 and older who may purchase alcohol legally and then illegally provide it to a person under age 21. 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 who provide alcohol to persons under age 21 can face the following penalties upon conviction:



• A $2,500 fine for each young person provided an alcoholic beverage
• Up to 12 months in jail
• Loss of driver’s license for up to 12 months

This event was hosted by SAPCA in collaboration with the Alexandria Police Department; the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office; the Department of Community and Human Services; the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities; and the ACHS U.S. Army JROTC program. SAPCA is appreciative of our partners for their help kicking off this important campaign and speaking up about the importance of preventing access to alcohol by underage youth.

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.

To report concerns regarding the sale or provision of alcohol to persons 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.

Celebrate Red Ribbon Week This October!

Each year, communities around the country celebrate Red Ribbon Week from October 23-31, an 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 is: "Life Is A Movie. Film Drug Free."

Explore these ideas to celebrate Red Ribbon Week this year:

• Enter the Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest by November 10, 2024. Three winners will receive a $100 gift card and have their poster featured in Red Ribbon Week 2025! 
• Take the Red Ribbon Week Pledge to stand up against substance use. Take the pledge today -- and encourage friends and family to do the same -- to continue to help make our community drug-free.
• Visit the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.) to view displays of student artwork promoting the benefits of a drug-free lifestyle. These displays feature the winning designs for the fall 2023 Red Ribbon Week poster contest. Artwork is displayed on the lobby level and on the fifth floor.
• Join SAPCA for the presentation of a proclamation recognizing Red Ribbon Week on October 22 at City Hall (301 King St.). 
• Stay informed -- learn the latest facts about alcohol, marijuana, e-cigarettes, and prescription and over-the-counter medication.

Click here to explore more ways to celebrate Red Ribbon Week this month!

Community Connections: Promoting Prevention Resources and Opportunities

This fall, SAPCA collaborated with our school and community partners by promoting prevention resources in our community and highlighting opportunities to get involved with SAPCA.

On September 7, SAPCA shared opportunities for youth and adults to make a difference at the Community Volunteer Fair. SAPCA volunteers share their ideas, expertise, time and talents to help foster a community where all Alexandria youth can grow up happy, healthy, and substance-free. Explore information about volunteer opportunities that match your interests here.

On September 16 and 17, SAPCA presented Facts and Consequences to 134 cadets 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 healthy ways to cope with stress.

On September 25, SAPCA Coordinator Emma Beall joined school and community leaders as a panelist for the Supporting Healthy Choices Forum. Hosted by Alexandria City Public Schools, the Alexandria Parent Teacher Association Council, and the ACHS Parent and Teacher Association, this event featured discussions about supporting students' social, emotional, and academic learning; preventing youth substance use; and promoting healthy decision-making. Click here to view a recording of this event.

On September 26, SAPCA distributed 100 free Parent Handbooks and copies of SAPCA's 2023 annual report 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.

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.

Stronger Together: Family Workshop on Substance Abuse Prevention

Join the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) community for Stronger Together, a family workshop focused on working together to build safer, stronger communities. Hosted by ACPS in collaboration with SAPCA, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the City of Alexandria, this workshop will take place on Monday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Francis C. Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Rd.)

Together, families will explore critical topics, including:

• Understanding the dangers of substances like fentanyl, vaping, and marijuana.
• Effective communication strategies for talking to your children about drugs.
• Recognizing early warning signs of substance use and knowing how to take action.

Families are strongly encouraged to register for the event. Interpretation will be provided in Amharic, Arabic, Dari and Spanish. Limited childcare for children ages 3-8 will be available with advanced registration. Click here to learn more and register for this upcoming event.

Save the Date: October 26 is Drug Take Back Day

The City of Alexandria encourages residents to safely dispose of unneeded prescription drugs, including those prescribed by veterinarians, and over-the-counter medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

A collection will take place on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the following drop-off sites staffed by the Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office:

• Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Ave.)
• Fire Station 210 (5255 Eisenhower Ave.)
• The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.)
• Walgreens Pharmacy (3614 King St.)
• Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (2729 King St.)

Can't make it to Drug Take Back Day? Dispose of medication year-round at one of the City's permanent medication drop boxes. Needles are not accepted during the take back event or in the permanent medication drop boxes. Dispose of needles and syringes in a separate designated permanent drop box. 

Interested in volunteering for this month's drug take back day? Volunteers share information and distribute resources about the importance of safe medication disposal at one of the four drop-off locations. Contact Emma Beall at emma.beall@alexandriava.gov to learn more or to sign up.

Learn more about the importance of safe medication disposal here.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

As a City, we continue to send the message that bullying of any form is unacceptable. Since 2014, the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying has worked tirelessly to create programs to prevent and end bullying in our City. This committee includes City agencies, Alexandria City Public Schools, community organizations and coalitions, youth leaders, and community residents. 

While October is National Bully Prevention Month, the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying works to prevent and end bullying throughout the year. Becoming an upstander is one way to prevent bullying. According to stopbullying.gov, "An Upstander is someone who takes action when they witness bullying. Even one person’s support can make a big difference for someone who is being bullied." 

Here are some ways youth can be an upstander when they see bullying:

• Speak up and engage
• Call it like you see it - "You're being a bully right now.'"
• Ask a direct question - "Why are you treating them like that?"
• Create a distraction.
• Be kind
• Show empathy towards the victim - "That's happened to me too" or "You didn't deserve that."
• Know who to ask for help
• Tell a parent, teacher, coach, or other trusted adult.

By promoting kindness, inclusivity, and respect, we can contribute to creating a community where everyone feels valued and respected. Together, we have the power to make bullying a thing of the past and build a better, more compassionate world.

For more information about the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying, contact Allen Lomax at aclomax@aol.com.

Quick Links

Upcoming Youth Development Trainings

• The next Youth Mental Health First Aid training will take place in-person on October 17 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Register here.
• The next Everyone's an Asset Builder training will take place in-person on October 23 from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Register here.

Contact temi.aregbesola@alexandriava.gov for more information.

How’s our Health in Alexandria?

Help us better understand and improve the health of Alexandria’s neighborhoods! The Alexandria Health Department invites everyone to take a quick, anonymous survey about what impacts your health. We want to learn about our health issues, strengths, and what needs to change. This is a great chance to make a difference! Your feedback, along with data collection, helps guide the next five years of health projects in our city.

The survey is open online in English, Spanish, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, and Arabic until November 1. Alexandria Health Department staff and volunteers will also be collecting surveys at pop-up locations across the city this fall.

Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 

4850 Mark Center Drive

Alexandria, VA 22311