January 2018 Newsletter
SAPCA's Highlights & Annoucements
City's First Permanent Rx Drug Drop-Off Box
On January 5, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray. The event celebrated the first ever permanent prescription drug drop-off box in the City of Alexandria. The box will provide year-round access to safe drug disposal for all City residents.
 
The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (SAPCA), along with Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Sheriff's Office, and Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), would like to thank pharmacy co-owners Stacey Swartz and Barbara Hayward for taking this important community action - especially as a small business. This is a huge accomplishment and will aid efforts to reduce the amount of unwanted drugs in the City of Alexandria.

January Prescription Drug Take Back Day
On Saturday, January 6, the first prescription drug take back day of 2018 was held in Alexandria. SAPCA was onsite at each location (Alexandria Police Headquarters, Fire Station 210, First Baptist Church and Neighborhood Pharmacy) and assisted with handing out at-home disposal kits for residents to safely dispose of medications between take back day events. The day resulted in collecting 140 pounds of drugs. As always, thank you Coalition Partners--The Alexandria Police department, Alexandria Fire department Alexandria Sheriff's Office, Alexandria Renew Enterprises and Covanta. Special thanks to our volunteers for the event Nasreen Saroor and Santos Diaz.   
Congratulations to Former Board Member Valarie Wright of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office
In the evening of December 14, Chair Allen Lomax and DCHS Youth Team Leader Noraine Buttar attended a roll call at the Alexandria Detention Center. Sargent Valarie Wright and her colleagues were preparing for their shift that night. Allen and Noraine were there to present Valarie with a plaque thanking her for her 5 years of serving on the SAPCA Board and her commitment to improving the lives of young people in Alexandria. In the fall, Valarie was promoted to Sargent and took on new leadership responsibilities in the Sheriff's Office. As a result of these new responsibilities she had to step down from the SAPCA Board. Great news for Valarie but a loss of an excellent SAPCA Board member.
 
Upcoming Community Events:
Job Fair Prep & Basketball Games

Who: The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities 

What: FREE teen and young adult late night events

Where: Charles Houston Rec Center

When: Thursdays; January 25 to February 22

Click here to view flyer in PDF
Youth Services Coordinating Council

Who: Alexandria Office of Youth Services

What: Youth Services Coordinating Council

Where: 2525 Mt. Vernon Ave (Multipurpose Room)

When: Tuesday, February 13, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Community Conversation About Opioids

Who:  Alexandria's Opioid Workgroup 

What: Community Conversation About Opioids

Where: Minnie Howard Campus of T.W. Williams (auditorium)

When: Wednesday, February 28, from 7-9 p.m. 
Kick Butts Day 2018
  Wednesday, March 21 
3:30 - 6:00 p.m.
T.C. Williams High School

Kick Butts Day:

Raises awareness of the problem of underage tobacco use in VA

Encourages youth to reject the industry's deceptive marketing tactics

Urges elected officials to take action in protecting kids from tobacco  

 

We need your help in making this year's event another success. We will need

volunteer drivers (must complete background check, have a valid drivers licence and access to pool vehicle) as well as people to help with setup, food and breakdown. 

 

If you are interested in serving on this awesome project, please contact Kim Hurley at kim.hurley@alexandriava.gov 
Contact Us:
Lauren Kiefert, SAPCA Assistant Coordinator
Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 
123 N Pitt St, Suite 225
Alexandria, VA 22314
O: 703.746.3670 
www.PreventItAlexandria.org
STAY CONNECTED!