March 2024

Newsletter Special Edition: Celebrating Spring Break Safely

Supporting Youth to Make Healthy Choices This Spring

There are many things to celebrate as the weather gets warmer, including spring break, family gatherings, prom, graduations.

In this special edition of SAPCA's newsletter, find tips on supporting teens in your life to celebrate spring break safely and help spread the word about opportunities for youth to get involved in the community this spring!

Setting Conversation Goals to Discuss Alcohol and Other Drugs

Parents and caregivers have a significant influence in their children's decision to not use substances. Even though it may not always feel like it, children really do listen to their parents' concerns. This is one of the reasons it’s important for parents and caregivers to have consistent conversations with their children about the risks of using alcohol and other drugs.

Check out these tips to help guide your conversation:

1. Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug use.
2. Show you care about your teen's health, wellness, and success.
3. Show you're a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs.
4. Show you're paying attention and will discourage risky behaviors.
5. Build your teen's skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use.

Click here to view more resources to keep the conversation going here.

Is Your Teen Hosting or Attending a Party?

Your teen is likely looking forward to some time off from school and hanging out with their friends! Review these tips from Informed Families to help your teen have fun and safe spring break gatherings.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

This year, National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) is March 18-14. NDAFW is an annual health observance that promotes dialogue about the science of substance use among youth, and connects youth to resources.

Check out the activities below to learn more about the facts and consequences of substance use.

• Play this new kahoot to test students’ knowledge on what causes drug overdoses and how to save a life using naloxone.
• Share the Is This Legit? Accessing Valid and Reliable Health Information activity to help students in grades 9 through 12 learn to access valid and reliable health information.
• Start a conversation using answers to teens’ 10 frequently asked questions about drugs and health.
• Take the Kahoot! Quizzes:
• Kahoot! Know the Facts About Overdose – Test students’ knowledge on what causes drug overdoses and how to save a life using naloxone.
• Kahoot! National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge – Test students’ knowledge about drugs and alcohol with this short, interactive quiz. 
• Kahoot! Coping With Stress – Take this quiz and learn how to cope with stress in a healthy way.
• Kahoot! Why are Drugs so Hard to Quit? – Test students' knowledge on addiction and the difficulty of quitting drug use.
• Kahoot! Underage Drinking – Test students’ knowledge on alcohol use and related health effects with this quiz from NIAAA.
• Talk early and often about the dangers of underage drinking and using other substances.
• Share resources to support youth and adults with a substance use disorder.

Together, we can ensure that youth in Alexandria have the information and tools to make informed choices about their health and future so they can thrive today, tomorrow and in the future.

To learn about other ways to support local efforts to prevent youth substance use and misuse, contact Emma Beall at [email protected]

Safety Tips for Avoiding Impaired Driving

Whether you're traveling near or far, or not at all, this spring break, follow and share these simple guidelines from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for avoiding impaired driving.

Preventing Drunk & Drugged Driving

• Plan for a sober ride home (taxi, Uber, Lyft or a sober friend) before a night out.
• Remember, Virginia law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol. Additionally, Virginia's zero tolerance law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from operating a motor vehicle if they have been drinking alcohol.
• Be a responsible host by making sure all guests leave with a sober ride. If providing alcohol, only serve individuals age 21 or older.
• If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, find out the potential effects the drugs could have on your driving before getting behind the wheel.

Preventing Distracted Driving

• Before you go, plan ahead. Set up the directions to your destination and select your music before you drive.
• Park before you eat.
• Set your phone on silent or put it on "do not disturb."
• Don't become a distracting passenger. Help the driver by being an extra pair of eyes on the road.

Preventing Drowsy Driving

• Get enough sleep before driving.
• Always check your prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to see if drowsiness could result from their use.
• Before starting a long car trip, get a good night's sleep and plan stops along the way.

Learn more about preventing impaired driving, supporting teens to drive safely, and state laws here.

Spring Break Plans

Add these free activities to your spring break calendar!

Service-Learning Activities

• Youth Engaged in Service (YES): Middle and high school students participating in YES will learn about critical issues facing the City of Alexandria, and how to help, by connecting with community leaders and completing service-learning projects.

(March 26: Environmental Day, March 27: Human Services Day, March 28: Food Insecurity Day)

• DIY care kits: Celebrate Women's History Month by making a DIY care kit for women in need. (Wednesday, March 27, 6-7pm at James M. Duncan Jr. Library)

Game Nights

• Family Game Night: Bring the whole family to the Charles Houston Recreation Center for some FREE fun and food! A variety of activities will be available for families to enjoy together, including board games, gym games, and the game room. RSVP for this free program here. (Friday, March 22, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Charles Houston Recreation Center)

• Tabletops and Teens: Tabletop games for teens ages 12-18 to socialize, learn games, and improve critical thinking and strategy. All materials will be provided. (Monday, March 25, 5 - 7 p.m. at James M. Duncan Jr. Library)

• Ultimate Teen Game Night: Teens ages 12-16 can enjoy a variety of activities, including 3 on 3 basketball, trivia, guest speakers, tournaments, skating, video games, ping-pong, board games, music and more. Teens will have the option to bring their own electronics, favorite table games and skates to enjoy an evening of fun. (Friday, March 29, 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Chick Armstrong Recreation Center)

Creative and Crafty

• Crafty Kids: Drop in for seasonal arts and crafts for youth ages 6-12. (Monday, March 25, 3 - 5 p.m. at Kate Waller Barrett Library)

• Let's Lego Together: Youth ages 5-18 are invited to build a Lego lunar expedition rover using our Mindstorms EV3 robots plus a landing site. Free play with Legos also available. (Monday, March 25, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Library)

• Knit Nite: Youth ages 8-18 can learn to knit under the guidance of experienced knitters. All supplies will be provided. (Wednesday, March 27, 6 - 7 p.m. at Charles E Beatley Jr. Library)

• Nerdy Knotters: Youth ages 12 and up can join this knitting and crochet group. For beginners, there will be knitting needles, crochet hooks and yarn available to use if you don't have your own. (Thursday, March 28, 6 - 7 p.m. at James M. Duncan Jr. Library)

Alexandria Library and Washington Wizards Winter Launch 2024 Reading Challenge

The Washington Wizards challenge you to read, stay active, and engaged this winter by completing the 2024 Wizards Winter Reading Challenge. Earn the reading badge and at least one other badge to complete the challenge and win a prize, as well as be entered to win the grand prize. Alexandria Library has everything you need to help you earn your Winter Challenge badges, from exciting reads for every age and interest, to events, to opportunities to share online.

The challenge runs through March 31. Full contest details can be found at alexlibraryva.org/winter-reading.

Quick Links

Resources and Upcoming Events

Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 

4850 Mark Center Drive

Alexandria, VA 22311