December 2018 Newsletter
Highlights & Annoucements
SAPCA Celebrates Ten Years!

On Thursday, December 6, SAPCA hosted a community meeting and celebration in honor of the coalition's 10th anniversary! During this meeting, Allen Lomax, SAPCA's Chair, shared highlights of SAPCA's achievements over the last ten years before presenting election ballots for SAPCA's Board of Directors. After ballots were collected, Fredy Martinez, the  K-12 Substance Abuse Prevention &  Intervention Services Coordinator for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) presented about substance use identified at T.C. Williams. This was followed by small group discussions by attendees who brainstormed key actions that should be taken in Alexandria in the next year to prevent youth use of alcohol and marijuana. T hanks to everyone who attended this fun event!
Election Results - SAPCA's Board of Directors

Please help us extend a huge congratulations to SAPCA's incoming Board of Directors elected on December 6 during our community meeting and celebration.

Officers
  • Chair: Allen C. Lomax
  • Vice Chair:Teresa Tidwell
  • Secretary: Cadence Claypoole
  • Treasurer: Kimberly Hyde Santucci
Members
  • Kate Harbour
  • Daryl D. Jackson
  • Fredy Martinez
  • Arnecia Moody
  • Quameer Reddick-Parker
 
Thank you so much to everyone who submitted nominations to serve on the board - SAPCA's work would not be possible without the investment of individuals across a variety of sectors in our community!

Titan Takeover: Holiday Edition!

On Friday, December 14, nearly 100 teens across Alexandria attended a holiday-themed Titan Takeover Teen Night at William Ramsay Recreation Center. Students enjoyed  pizza, candy, raffles and giveaways, a DJ, dancing, and a holiday-themed photo booth. Stay tuned for information about our next Titan Takeover!
 

#FactOfTheMonth: Sparking Conversations about Prevention

Each month, SAPCA highlights one key fact about substance use. This month we discuss ways to talk about substance use prevention with youth.

While having discussions about drugs and alcohol may seem difficult, these conversations play a key role in preventing youth substance use and abuse. The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids provides the following tips for parents and supportive adults interested in discussing these important topics with children and teens:

  • Choose a good time & place
  • Approach your talk with openness, active listening & "I" statements
  • Understand your influence 
  • Offer empathy & support
  • Keep in mind that the adolescent brain is still developing

This holiday season, make a resolution to start a conversation about substance use. It's never too early to spark a conversation about prevention.


 

Have an idea for our next #FactOfTheMonth ? Email Emma Beall at  emma.beall@alexandriava.gov
Save the Date: January Drug Take Back Day! 

Our next Drug Take Back Day will happen on Saturday, January 12 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.! Individuals can drop off unused and expired medication at the following locations:

  • Alexandria Police Department HQ (3600 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304) 
  • Alexandria Fire Department (Fire Station 210, 5255 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria VA, 22304)
  • First Baptist Church of Alexandria (2923 King Street, Alexandria VA, 22302)
  • The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301) 


U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on Youth E-cigarette Use 

On Tuesday, December 17, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams released an advisory highlighting the dangers of e-cigarette use. "I am officially declaring e-cigarette use among youth an epidemic in the United States. Now is the time to take action. We need to protect our young people from all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes," said Adams. 

Many young people do not realize e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the highly addictive drug found in cigarettes. 

In 2016, 7.5.% of Alexandria high school students reported e-cigarette use. Nationally, e-cigarette use has been growing quickly. The percent of U.S. 12th graders that reported vaping in the last month increased from 11% in 2017 to 20.9% in 2018. Dr. Adams also reported that "in 2018, more than 3.6 million U.S. youth, including 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school students, currently use e-cigarettes."

Fast Facts for Parents and Supportive Adults
  • E-cigarettes are marketed as safer than traditional cigarettes, but pose many dangers to health and often lead to smoking tobacco
  • Many flavored e-cigarettes, often marketed to young people, contain a chemical compound (diacetyl) that can cause permanent damage to the respiratory system
  • Because e-cigarettes are so new, there is a lack of data on long term effects of these devices . While the FDA has not yet come up with regulations for these devices, teens who vape are at risk of health effects,  both known and unknown. 
The Surgeon General's full advisory can be found here.

To view a PDF of this flyer,  please click here.

SAPCA Presents wreckED to Bishop Ireton Students


On December 7, SAPCA Coordinator Emma Beall and Volunteer and former SAPCA Vice Chair Shelly Morgan presented wreckED to 100 students at Bishop Ireton High School. wreckED is a substance abuse prevention program developed by the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. wreckED engages students in dialogue about the consequences of underage drinking, marijuana use, e-cigarette use and abuse of prescription and over the counter medication. wreckED also discusses peer pressure and provides students with examples of how to refuse in stressful situations. A big thanks to health teacher Lauren McCarthy for working with us to present wreckED to her students -- we greatly appreciate your commitment to a substance-abuse free Alexandria!
2019 4-H Junior Camp Counselor and Camper Registration now OPEN!

Dreaming of sunny days lounging by the pool? You're in luck: 4-H Junior Camp Teen Counselor and Camper Registration is open for business! As a reminder, 4-H Camp will run June 30th- July 4th this year. Don't worry, we'll be back in plenty of time to enjoy 4th of July festivities.2019 4-H Junior Camp Counselor and Camper Registration now OPEN! 

4-H invites campers 9-13 to join us for an overnight week of fun June 30-July 4 at the Northern VA 4-H Educational Center in Front Royal, VA. Since we'll be heading home on July 4th, kids will be back in time for July 4th evening festivities. Campers have their pick of classes including options like archery, canoeing, ropes courses, and much more. There's pool time, team challenges, a roaring evening campfire, and a whole lot of fun. The camp fee is $350 (same as last year) and includes transportation from the 4-H Center of Thursday (we ask families to drop their child off at the center on the 30th). Registration is open now. There are scholarships available, so please don't let the price stop you from applying.  You can find the application here. For those who would like to apply, we ask that they either mail the application or drop it off at the Alexandria Extension Office location at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Alexandria VA 22314. 

To apply to the Teen Counselor Program, please complete the application (available here) and drop it off or mail it to your local office. If you register before Friday, January 11th by 5pm your Counselor fee is $50. After the 11th, that price increases to $150-so don't delay! Scholarship are available. No prior camping experience is required to participate. Counselors are eligible for verified community service hours following the conclusion of camp.  

For more information please contact Reggie Morris, Extension Agent 4-H at rbmorris@vt.edu or 703-746-5547.

Upcoming Community Events
Alexandria Teen Writing Contest 

Are you in grades 6 through 12 and love to write?  Alexandria Library is hosting a "free write" or open-ended contest, which means there are no writing guidelines. Entries must be in middle school or high school (grades 6-12) to be eligible to win. It can be about any topic and written in any format. Deadline to enter contest is January 31, 2019. For questions about the contest, please email iwest@alexlibraryva.org.

Click here to enter.

Join the Youth Empowerment Work Group!

The Youth Empowerment Work Group is recruiting more members! Please consider joining this new Work Group and helping with recruitment by sharing this information with your networks!
 
Who: We are looking for youth (any age is welcome) and young adults who are interested in developing their leadership skills and effecting positive change in their community, as well as caring adults who are interested in building developmental assets and supporting a young person's ability to exercise their power.
What: The Youth Empowerment Work Group is an initiative of the Children and Youth Master Plan. It aims to increase the proportion of young people in Alexandria who:
  • feel heard and valued by their community,
  • have useful roles and opportunities to volunteer and lead projects of their interests,
  • have power in all aspects of decision-making which affects their lives, and
  • feel like they can make a difference in the world.
Where: T.C. Williams High School, Room C214 (2nd Floor, Art Wing)
When: Every third Wednesday of the month at 3:30. Our next meeting is January 16, 2019
Contact: Chelsea Eickert ( chelsea.eickert@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3142) for more information.

To view a PDF of this flyer, please click here.

Please consider donating to the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria to continue funding our efforts to reduce underage substance use and abuse in Alexandria!

Interested in getting involved with SAPCA?
Contact Us:
Emma Beall, SAPCA Coordinator
Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 
123 N Pitt St, Suite 225
Alexandria, VA 22314
O: 703.746.3670 
C: 571.302.1022
emma.beall @alexandriava.gov
www.PreventItAlexandria.org
STAY CONNECTED!