On Saturday, October 19, teams of youth and adults from Alexandria "shocked" purchasers of alcohol by placing bright warning stickers on multi-packs of beer and other alcohol products in Alexandria stores. The Sticker Shock campaign kicked off with a press conference at the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), 720 N. St. Asaph Street.

Sticker Shock is a youth-led initiative designed to educate adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. 

Following the press conference, teams of youth and adults traveled throughout the City to visit more than 60 participating retailers and affix the warning stickers. The stickers contain warnings about the serious penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors. In Virginia, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a punishment of up to $2,500 and 12 months in jail. In addition to these penalties, a person found guilty will have his or her driver's license suspended.  Local retailers who participated in the campaign include Giant Food, Safeway, 7-11, CVS and a host of small grocery and convenience stores.  

Youth participants reported many positive results from their participation, including

• Improving public speaking skills
• Learning about an officer's job
• Building teamwork
• Creating change in their community
• Receiving encouragement and support from retail and community members
• Finding a sense of community
• Having fun!

O n Friday, October 18, SAPCA Coordinator 

Emma Beall  attended a round  table  discussion hosted by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine's Office to discuss e-cigarette use among youth. During this event, s tudents, teachers, counselors, advocates and parents shared  information about the work being done in their jurisdiction to address vaping and provided their unique perspectives about this topic.  Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni also participated in this event. 

Youth in attendance highlighted that e-cigarettes are easily accessible and sold in convenience stores that many of them visit, advocating for an increase in the pricing of these products. They also shared how social media marketing and the presence of thousands of  youth-friendly flavors has influenced youth to use these products.

Emma discussed several steps SAPCA has taken to address e-cigarette use, 

including:

• Forming a vaping work group with Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) students to brainstorm ways to address vaping systemically.
• Delivering classroom presentations and assemblies for middle and high school students at public and private schools
• Presenting to students caught using substances at school as part of a collaborative program delivered in partnership with ACPS and the Court Services Unit
• Distributing a coach's resource packet that provides information about substance use and abuse. The packet both educates and encourages coaches and other youth serving providers to discuss the dangers of these substances with their athletes. It also provides them with concrete ways to take action, including taking a clear stance on vaping and ensuring students they work with know using these substances is not allowed.

• Discussing e-cigarettes with the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) in spring 2019.

Each year, SAPCA joins our community in celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 23-31. Red Ribbon Week is  the oldest and largest drug prevention program and is  an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. This year's theme is "Send a message . Stay drug free."

This year, SAPCA participated in Red Ribbon Week by:

• Tabling at Minnie Howard an d T.C. Williams with Inova Alexandria Hospital, the Drug Enforcement Agency and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) staff  to remind students to stay drug-free. 

• Encouraging students to enter the Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest by November 11, 2019, for a chance to win $100.

• Presenting about e-cigarettes and vaping to over 200 cadets in the T.C. Williams Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.

• Supporting elementary school Youth Development Counselors at Patrick Henry, William Ramsay and Samuel Tucker to conduct activities with their students.

• Assisting in the development of community circles delivered to nearly 10,000 ACPS elementary, middle and high school. During these circles, students learned about Red Ribbon Week, discussed the dangers of e-cigarettes, and  pledged to grow up safe, healthy and drug free. 

• Of students that completed an evaluation survey for this activity, 88% strongly agreed or agreed with the statement "If asked to try alcohol or drugs, including e-cigarettes, I would be comfortable saying no," while 90% strongly agreed or agreed with the statement "Using alcohol or drugs, including e-cigarettes, is harmful to my health." 

Thanks to everyone who helped make these events a huge success!

The number of vaping-related injuries continues to increase. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a s of October 24, 2019 there  have been 1,604 cases of lung injury in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 1 U.S. territory. There have been 34 deaths confirmed in 24 states associated with e-cigarette or vaping products in the U.S. 

As of October 11, 2019, in Virginia there have been 50 cases and one death. Eighteen of the cases were reported in the Northern Health Region, which includes Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon and Prince William.

All reported cases have a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping.  Based on initial data from certain states: 

Counter Tobacco is excited to announce the dates for the 8th Annual Photo Contest! This contest showcases what's happening in the tobacco retail environment all across the country. These images are crucial to educating the public and furthering the success of state and local tobacco control efforts that seek to reduce tobacco industry activity at the point of sale.

October 7th through November 4th, Counter Tobacco is calling on you to submit photos reflecting tobacco industry marketing tactics in the retail environments for the chance to win some sweet CounterTobacco.org swag. In the meantime, get some inspiration from last year's winners.

The 2019 Congressional App Competition (CAC) has officially launched, supported by large tech companies such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft. 

Students, both high-school and middle-school level, may participate as individuals or in teams of up to four and winners may be eligible to have their app featured in the Capitol Building. Participating students can either reside or attend school in VA-08. Students can confirm residency by clicking here. The deadline to submit apps is November 1, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.

Students interested must register by clicking here.

Reflections Submissions are due by Friday, November 2, 2019 at 3:30 pm in the bins in the Library/Media Centers. Any questions? Please email Luisa Tio at  luisastio@earthlink.net or text 703-599-7923.Place article copy here. Be sure to make the articles short and concise as people tend not to read much more than a couple of paragraphs.

It's that time of year - the first KeepIt360 club meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 6 at T.C. Williams High School in Room C210 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.  This club is sponsored by SAPCA and the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy. Join us for snacks and activities as we kick-off the year. Can't wait to see you there!