During our last Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, January 12, Alexandria collected 240  lbs  of unused and expired medication! Thank you to everyone who volunteered for this event and came out to drop off medication.

Couldn't make it to this event?  Alexandria's  second and   newest permanent medication drop box is  housed at Inova Alexandria Hospital (4320 Seminary Road).  This drop box is located in the visitor's lobby next to the cashier's window. Medication can be dropped off here between  5 a.m. and 9 p.m.

In this article, Malcolm Gladwell shares that a panel from the National Academy of Medicine reviewed existing scientific literature about marijuana. The report released by this group in 2017 "simply stated, over and over again, that a drug North Americans have become enthusiastic about remains a mystery."

Gladwell explains that this lack of a solid evidence-base may be due in part to difficulties related to studying marijuana use when it was illegal. However, Gladwell also points out that studies previously conducted occurred when marijuana "was not nearly as potent as it is now." This fact alone raises new questions about how much is truly known about the health consequences, both positive and negative, of today's marijuana. 

Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic (S.A.F.E. Project) is recruiting volunteers interested in getting involved in their pharmacy visit project, the Naloxone Pharmacy Awareness Campaign. As part of this initiative, they are asking volunteers to

 visit their local pharmacy, inquire about the availability of naloxone, share some information about the Virginia standing order, and report their experience back to us at S.A.F.E. Their goal is to educate pharmacists and pharmacy techs about access to naloxone, give community members a way to contribute, and reduce stigma around seeking naloxone.

1. Go to safeproject.us/volunteer-with-safe-project

2. Fill out your name, email, and select "Naloxone Awareness Campaign in Virginia."

3. You will receive an email with a 

link to the short training, instructions on how to participate, and a link the survey we ask you to take after visiting a pharmacy.

4. Let S.A.F.E. Project know if you have any questions, and then go to your local pharmacy to participate!

Please join the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy at its quarterly meeting on February 11, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. at Beatley Library for a presentation of Alexandria's adolescent pregnancy data.  Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Lisette Torres at Lisette.Torres@Alexandriava.gov

ACPS families,  community  members and staff have shared hundreds of observations and pieces of advice with ACPS Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings during his first 100 days on the job. Now, it's time for him to share what he has learned! Please join Dr. Hutchings on Wednesday, January 30 at 6:00 p.m. in the T.C. Williams High School cafeteria  to discuss the steps that will be taken to get ACPS to the next level.  Childcare, interpretation, and transportation from around the city will be provided with registration. Click here to register for this event.