October 2026 Newsletter

October 2026

Announcements

Project Sticker Shock Campaign Highlights Consequences of Providing Alcohol to Youth

Local shoppers were met with a powerful message on Saturday, October 17, as the City of Alexandria launched its annual Project Sticker Shock Campaign. Alexandria City High School (ACHS) students in the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program kicked off the youth-led event at ACHS with remarks from community leaders, including Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) Chair Allen Lomax, Sheriff Sean Casey, Alexandria Police Department Lieutenant Greg Holden, and ACHS Lead Administrator Aisha Ortiz, who spoke about the critical need to prevent underage access to alcohol.

After the press event, 64 youth participants divided into teams and visited 50 retail locations, placing nearly 500 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 included 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.

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 fine of up to $2,500 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; the Department of Community and Human Services; 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 Sumra Ahmad 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.

Call for Nominations: SAPCA Officers and Board Members

Do you want to make a difference in your community? SAPCA invites community members to submit nomination applications to serve as officers and members of the SAPCA Board of Directors.

Please send the nomination form to those you think are good candidates and interested in serving on the SAPCA Board. Of course, if you think you are a good candidate -- you can nominate yourself. We need current and future community leaders to provide their ideas, thoughts, and time to reducing and ending youth substance use and misuse in Alexandria.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations should be submitted using this form. The deadline to submit your nomination application is November 13 at 11:59 p.m.

Nomination Guidelines

Nominees should be youth or adult community members who live, learn, work, play, and pray in the City of Alexandria. Prior involvement with SAPCA is welcome but not required.
Youth nominees should be Alexandria middle or high school students (public or private, grades 8–12).

Nominations are sought for the following positions:

Four officer positions - Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer (each with a two year term, January 2027 - December 2028).
Five members of the Board of Directors (each with a two-year term, January 2027 - December 2028. At least one member must be a youth.)

Time Commitment

SAPCA's Board of Directors, which includes its officers, meets the fourth Monday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m.

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: “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.”

Explore these ideas to celebrate Red Ribbon Week this year:

Enter the Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest by November 15, 2026. Three winners will receive a $100 gift card and have their poster featured in Red Ribbon Week 2027!
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 last year's 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 27 at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.)
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!

Save the Date: October 24 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 24 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.)

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.

Learn more about the importance of safe medication disposal here.