May  2016 Newsletter

Alexandria Residents Help Fight Prescription Drug Abuse 
Residents throughout the City of Alexandria helped fight prescription drug abuse on Saturday, April 30 by participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The City of Alexandria Police Department, Sheriff's Department, and SAPCA set up collection sites at three locations that allowed residents to safely clean out their medicine cabinet and dispose of unused or expired medications. Almost 400 pounds of medications were collected and disposed of. Special thank you to our partners who helped make this event a success: The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray, the Alexandria Police Department, the Alexandria Sheriff's Department, the Medical Reserve Corp, and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.

SAPCA will be collaborating with the Alexandria Sheriff's Department and Del Ray Pharmacy to set up a collection site in the summer for residents that missed the drug take back day. Stay tuned for more information!
Family Communication

Only 1 in 4 youth in Alexandria report that they are willing to seek their parent's advice or counsel and that his or her parent(s) communicate positively.


Contact the SAPCA Coordinator to learn about parent workshops to support positive family communication.
Community Meeting
The Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria is hosting a community meeting, Making Connections: Education, Housing, Jobs and Health, for Partnership members, community leaders and community members on Wednesday, June 29. The meeting will feature guest speakers from the Alexandria Health Department who will discuss health equity and the many factors that can impact our health.The discussion will further advance the Partnerships continuing efforts around the Alexandria Community Health Improvement Plan.

Where: Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services
Multipupose Room
2525 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22303

When: Wednesday, June 29, 2016, 8:30 to 11:00 am

National Drug Take Back Day Reflections on Four Hours and 45 Lives
Prescription Drug Take Back Day was a collaborative effort among law enforcement, local businesses, and our wonderful volunteers! One of SAPCA's volunteers captured his experience from the day in a blog post.  

Read the Blog Post
Marijuana Oil Potency Raises Concerns for Youth

Marijuana oil is approximately four times more potent than smoked cannabis-a concern as youth perceptions of marijuana risk decrease.
cigarettes tobacco
California Governor Signs Bill Raising Tobacco-Purchase Age to 21

California Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday, May 5, signed into law a bill raising the legal purchase age for cigarettes and other tobacco products to 21 years from 18. 

The new law, which takes effect June 9, is a big boost to a movement that is turning into the next major challenge to the $100 billion tobacco industry. 
Contact Us:
Whitney Chao, MPH
Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 
421 King Street, 4th Floor Suite
Alexandria, VA 22314
O: 703.746.3670 
C: 571.414.8297
www.PreventItAlexandria.org
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