July 2019 
Newsletter
Highlights & Annoucements
Application Open for 2019 Youth Leadership Conference


We are now accepting applications and nominations for our 2019 Youth Leadership Conference!   This FREE conference runs from August 12-14 and is a great opportunity for incoming 9th - 12th graders residing in Alexandria who demonstrate strong leadership skills, show potential to be great leaders or who are just passionate about making a difference in the community. The second day of the conference includes an afternoon networking session with youth leadership opportunities in Alexandria. There is also a bonus day with sessions featuring opportunities to get involved in City-wide planning efforts, build your legacy in Alexandria by tackling issues that affect Alexandrians, and continue networking with local decision-makers. 

Youth interested in applying to participate should  follow this link. 

Adults can nominate youth  using this link.
Community Leaders, Join us at the Youth Leadership Conference Networking Session!

SAPCA and the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP)  invite you to a very special networking event with some of Alexandria's rising youth leaders, on
Tuesday, August 13, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302.

Several Alexandria boards, commissions and community groups have space reserved for youth representatives or could be stronger if youth voices were included in the group. Unfortunately, many youth spaces remain consistently unfilled, or organizations do not think of including youth leaders on their boards. Our aim is to help build a network of youth leaders who can serve effectively and to help boards, commissions and community groups understand how to benefit from youth voices. We believe the first step is to have our community leaders network with youth to learn about their abilities and interests and to see where their voices and skills could fit within our community. To accomplish this, ACAP and SAPCA will work with you to:
  • Meet Alexandria's youth leaders at this networking event and throughout the year.
  • Help orient you as to why it is important or beneficial to have youth leaders on Alexandria's boards, commissions and work groups, and
  • Work with you to make sure that our city's boards and commissions know how to engage youth who serve with your adult leadership.
Click here  to RSVP for this event. We hope to see you there!

July Drug Take Back Day Recap

During our last Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, July 27, Alexandria collected
300 lbs  of unused and expired medication! So far in 2019, a total of 1281 lbs of medication have been collected during take back day events hosted in the City of Alexandria and through our permanent drop boxes. Thank you to everyone who volunteered for this event and came out to drop off medication. Our next drug take back day will occur on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. as part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day  initiatives spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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.

Another permanent drop box is located at the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave). Medication can be dropped off at this location during the following hours:
  • Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Sunday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Interested in volunteering at our next Drug Take Back Day? Contact Emma Beall at  emma.beall@alexandriava.gov

#FactOfTheMonth: Deadline Set for E-Cigarette Makers to Apply to FDA to Keep Products on the Market 



As Judge Grimm stated in his May ruling, the FDA's delay in reviewing e-cigarettes allowed manufacturers to introduce and market products that appeal to kids and set the stage for the youth e-cigarette epidemic. Manufacturers have introduced sweet-flavored, high-nicotine products like Juul without any review of their appeal to kids or public health impact. The result was a 78% increase in e-cigarette use among high school students in 2018, to 20.8% of students.  The lawsuit was filed on March 27, 2018, by the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Maryland chapter, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Truth Initiative and five individual pediatricians.

To learn more about e-cigarettes, click here.

Have an idea for our next #FactOfTheMonth ? Email Emma Beall at  emma.beall@alexandriava.gov
2019 Developmental Assets Data Now Available!

New data about the external and internal assets of Alexandria's 8th, 10th and 12th graders recently became available.  External assets are the supports, opportunities, and relationships young people need across all aspects of their lives, while internal assets are the personal skills, commitments, and values they need to make good choices, take responsibility for their own lives, and be independent and fulfilled.  Assets are considered the essential building blocks for healthy development for children and youth that young people need to succeed. This survey also measures risk behaviors and high-risk behavior patterns. 

A s a result of collaborative work by the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), the Alexandria Health Department and SAPCA, this information is collected through the  Search Institute's Developmental Assets Survey every three years. By answering a series of questions, youth self-report the percent of assets they possess.  A summary report can be found here.  To view the full report, click here . 
Rising 7th, 8th, and 9th Graders: Enter the "For the Love of Country" Contest

Are you a rising 7th, 8th, or 9th grader? Do you like writing essays or poetry? Alexandria Library and the For Love of Country© Foundation present the Annual Essay and Poetry contest,
 "Who has influenced your life, and why?"
Rising 7th, 8th and 9th graders - enter "For Love of Country©: In My Own Words," an essay and poetry contest, and win up to $100! Just create an essay or poem on the topic: "Who has influenced your life, and why?"
Need help with your writing? Join us for our Pizza & Proof parties at the following locations:
  • Tuesday, August 6 - 7PM- Beatley Central
  • Wednesday, August 14 - 4PM- Burke Branch
  • Thursday, August 15 - 5:45PM- Barrett Branch
  • TBD - Duncan Branch
Entries are due by September 7, 2019 at 5 p.m. Enter now!
Engage Youth in Service During Summer Break

Volunteer Alexandria is seeking middle and high school students to spend three days learning first-hand about the social issues Alexandrians face and how local non-profit organizations address these issues. Breaks With Impact - Doing Good in the Neighborhood is a hands-on experience for students to learn how hunger, homelessness, the environment, etc. affect the residents of our city and how the students can make a difference. 
 
This spring a great group of middle and high school students spent one day of their spring break volunteering around Alexandria, and discovering ways they can become leaders for change. They learned more about how to safely cross a road and how a nonprofit advocates to make Alexandria safer. Students spent the afternoon cleaning chairs, tables, shelves, walls & windows in a homeless shelter to make it more welcoming for their residents. They were also able to hear the personal stories of struggle and transformation from residents of the shelter and people in the City's substance abuse programs. Interested in being part of Breaks With Impact?    Registration is now open..
  • Middle School: August 19 - 21 
  • High School: August 26 - 28
Upcoming Community Events
National Night Out 2019

On Tuesday, August 6, from 5 to 9 p.m., the Alexandria Police Department, Fire Department, Sheriff's Office and other City agencies will partner to celebrate the 36th annual National Night Out. This special celebration is part of a nationwide crime and drug prevention effort sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). Watch the video below to learn more! 


Alexandria National Night Out 2019
Alexandria National Night Out 2019
City of Alexandria Fall Recreation Program Registration Begins August 14

Registration for fall classes and activities offered by the City of Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will begin at 9 a.m. on August 14 for city residents and on August 16 for nonresidents. Fall registration applies to programs taking place from September through December.  Looking for  Yoga in the Sun  or yoga combined with art to open the imagination? Interested in new cooking classes that teach Spanish language and recipes to serve up with  Breakfast for Dinner ? Does your family like improv, an adventure night or a splash of art? Whatever your interests, there's always a new class or activity to try.  Autumnal Cupcake Wars ,  Indoor Soccer  and  Engineering with Little Bits  are just a few of the new camps for kids. And if it's the pool that keeps you cool, check out  Aqua Cycling  for adults or the newly restructured  Alexandria Swim Academy  for ages six months and older. 

Registration will be available  online  or in-person at the Registration & Reservation Office at the Lee Center (1108 Jefferson St.). For a complete list of options, including those that do not require registration, the Fall 2019 Program Guide is  available online. Printed copies can also be found at all Alexandria recreation, nature, and art centers, and at libraries.

Click here  to view a PDF of this flyer.
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!