December 2022

Cast Your Vote for SAPCA's Incoming Board of Directors

Last month, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) invited motivated youth and adults to submit nomination applications to serve as officers and members of the Board for SAPCA. Board members help shape policy and strategy in the Alexandria community.

Now, SAPCA is seeking your help to elect our incoming Board of Directors to serve two year terms from January 2023-2025. Biographies for candidates on the ballot can be found here.

Please follow this link to cast your ballot. The deadline to submit your ballot is Monday, December 5, 2022 at 11:00 p.m.

Thank you for your help in selecting Board members to support SAPCA's work!

Save the Date: January's Youth Speak Up Event

Mark your calendar for the next Youth Speak Up event on Thursday, January 19 from 6-8 p.m. at George Washington (GW) Middle School. This event will bring middle school students and their parents together to discuss healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety.

This event will be hosted by SAPCA, the Children Youth and Families Collaborative Commission, the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy, and the Gang Prevention Community Task Force. The most recent Youth Speak Up event, held in December 2021, featured a panel of Alexandria City High School students highlighting what they need from adults to navigate life after the pandemic.

Stay tuned for additional information about January's event!

City of Alexandria Safely Disposes of Medication

In early November, the City of Alexandria disposed of 240 lbs. of unused, expired and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication. Medication was collected from the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray's permanent medication drop box and from a wellness event at Goodwin House.

Medication can be disposed of year-round at one of the City's permanent medication drop-boxes.

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. 

Click here to learn about the importance of safe medication disposal.

SAPCA Delivers Facts and Consequences Presentations to JROTC Students

On November 14 and 15, SAPCA met with Alexandria City High School (ACHS) students involved in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program to deliver Facts and Consequences presentations to 150 cadets.

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 ways to respond to peer pressure, tools to cope with stress in a healthy way, and ideas for how SAPCA can prevent youth substance use in Alexandria.

SAPCA is appreciative of the opportunity to share this important information with students in our community and looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the JROTC program in the future.

Interested in supporting SAPCA to deliver Facts and Consequences Presentations? 

Contact Emma Beall at [email protected]. No previous experience is required and all volunteers receive training before presentations take place.

Middle School Students Provide Feedback Regarding Youth Substance Use Data

Throughout the month of November, members of the City of Alexandria's Youth Development Team visited civics classes at GW Middle School and Francis C. Hammond Middle School as part of Project Citizen, an interactive project-based learning model.

Through this project, students work together to identify and study a public policy issue, research and evaluate options, select a solution to the problem, and develop an action plan to address this issue. 

During these visits, over 100 students reviewed the latest youth substance use data trends, provided their reactions to this information, and shared strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use in our community. The invaluable feedback shared by students will support SAPCA's efforts to prevent youth substance use, misuse, and abuse.

SAPCA appreciates these opportunities to engage with Alexandria's youth and ensure their ideas shape local prevention efforts.

Congratulations and Farewell to April Pavis-Shroeder

We wish outgoing STOP Act Grant Coordinator April Pavis-Shroeder well as she moves on to the next phase of her career outside the City of Alexandria. During her time with SAPCA, April was instrumental in expanding SAPCA's efforts to prevent youth alcohol use among middle school students, Latino youth, and Northern Virginia Community College students.

On behalf of SAPCA, we wish April all the best as she embarks on her next adventure and are so appreciative of all her hard work during her time here.

Applications Open for ACT Youth Council

Applications are open for Alexandria high school students interested in joining the ACT Youth Council, a program designed by youth for youth to provide Alexandria students the decision-making power and funding to address key issue with the community. Students in grades 9-11 can submit applications until December 5 at 11:59 p.m.

Members of the Youth Council guide learning conversations, support city-wide youth initiatives, coordinate ACT’s Spring2ACTion events, and research and propose solutions to Alexandria youth’s most pressing challenges. Youth Council members will have an opportunity to design and launch grant programs to address issues most pertinent to youth, build skills in community-organizing and advocacy, network with Alexandria leaders, and make a difference in their community! Students commit to 10 hours/month and receive a stipend for being on the Council.

Click here to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

Click here to register for this training.

Alexandria Library Hosts Teen Winter Creativity Contest

Teen artists and writers in grades six through twelve are invited to enter Alexandria Library's Teen Winter Creativity Contest. Prizes of $100, $50 and $25 are awarded in each of six categories and entries can be about any topic.

The contest begins on December 19, 2022, and submissions are due by 11:59PM on February 15, 2023. Participants will be notified of the results by March 22, 2023.

Learn more about the Winter Creativity Contest here.

Resource Spotlight: Maintaining Mental Health During the Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, this joy-filled season can be stressful and especially challenging for those impacted by mental illness. A recent study from the National Alliance on Mental Illness found that 64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse.

Here are some suggestions from NAMI Northern Virginia about how to manage stress and maintain good mental health during the holiday season:

Accept your needs. 

Be kind to yourself! Put your own mental and physical well-being first.

Set boundaries.

Family dynamics can be complex. Acknowledge them and accept that you can only control your role. If you need to, find ways to limit your exposure.

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, educate yourself and get help.

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.

Explore other tips from NAMI Northern Virginia about how to maintain mental health during the holidays here.

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.

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

Resource Spotlight: Screen4Success

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released Sceen4Success, the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign's new tool to help parents and caregivers better understand the health, wellness, and wellbeing of their children. The tool is a quick and easy way to identify areas where children may benefit from more support and provides helpful resources to address those needs.

What is the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign?

The “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign aims to reduce underage drinking and other substance use among youths under the age of 21 by providing parents and caregivers with information and resources they need to address these issues with their children early and often.

How does Screen4Success work?

Screen4Success asks questions about substance use, mental and physical health, general wellbeing, and family life. It provides an easy way for parents and caregivers to identify areas where their children may benefit from additional support. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to fill out the screener with their kids—this provides opportunities for discussion in the moment—but if that’s not possible, they can send it to them to complete on their own.

How do I access Screen4Success?

You can access it on your mobile device through the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign mobile app.

Learn more about Screen4Success and the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign at talktheyhearyou.samhsa.gov.