Announcements & Upcoming Events |
|
SAPCA Highlights Coping Resources and Accomplishments During Virtual Event
SAPCA hosted a community event on December 16, sharing coping resources for dealing with stress and change during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighting the coalition’s accomplishments and goals.
During the event, guest speaker Stacey D. Hardy-Chandler, Ph.D., J.D, LCSW discussed how to get a handle on coping and encouraged the use of several approaches, including:
- Taking time to take a deep breath or temporarily step away from a situation when faced with stress.
- Giving and receiving compassion for major losses, as well as routine activities that have been impacted by the pandemic.
- Facing feelings by turning to concrete activities that bring comfort, such as journaling or listening to music.
- Seeking support from friends, family members or professionals.
In addition to the presentation, SAPCA representatives shared highlights of the coalition’s work over the past year and efforts to continue prevention work in a virtual environment. A recording of the event is available online.
|
|
SAPCA Launches Vaping Prevention Campaign
SAPCA launched “I don’t vape because…” a social media campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping and inspire youth to stay substance free. SAPCA invites social media users to share six videos and tag three others to share the content with their own networks. Click here to view and share the videos and access sample social media posts. |
|
|
The videos were created by T.C. Williams High School students and premiered during SAPCA's December 16 community event. The videos highlight some of the reasons youth do not vape and share several key facts, including:
- The term “vaping” is commonly used informally to refer to e-cigarette use. However, e-cigarette use and vaping are the same.
- Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the addictive substance found in traditional cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products.
- As of July 1, 2019, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, use or possess any tobacco, nicotine vapor or alternative tobacco product in Virginia. This includes e-cigarettes.
- Most teens in Alexandria are not using e-cigarettes, a trend to get behind. In 2016, 7.5% of 10th and 6.0% of 8th graders reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
There are several free resources available for youth trying to quit vaping.
- Call 1-800-QUITNOW to receive four phone calls with a trained tobacco cessation counselor.
- Visit QuitNow.net/Virginia to chat live with a Quit Coach.
- Text "DITCHJUUL" to 88709 to receive tips to quit through text.
- Visit Smokefree.gov to learn about other quitting resources.
|
|
Volunteer Spotlight: Recognition of Outgoing SAPCA Board Members
As SAPCA welcomes returning and incoming Board members this month, we also extend our gratitude and appreciation to outgoing Board members Cadence Claypoole and Teresa Tidwell. Claypoole, a senior at T.C. Williams High School, served on the Board for three years and most recently held the position of secretary. Tidwell served on the Board for nine years and held the position of Vice Chair for four of those years. We wish you both the best and are so appreciative of all your hard work during your active involvement with SAPCA!
|
|
Resolve to Get Involved in 2021
Looking to start volunteering this year? Interested in exploring new opportunities to serve the Alexandria community? SAPCA is seeking volunteers for the following opportunities:
- Join SAPCA’s Policy and Advocacy Committee
- Over the coming months there will be a variety of substance prevention issues being discussed at the national, state and local level. Volunteers will support efforts to track and analyze prevention policy issues so recommendations can be shared with policy makers.
- Receive training to become a Facts and Consequences workshop presenter
- Volunteers will deliver Facts and Consequences workshops to middle and high school youth. These presentations share information about the health and legal consequences of using alcohol, marijuana, tobacco products and prescription medications. Presentations usually take place during the school day.
|
|
Increase in Fatal Drug Overdoses Across the United States Driven by Synthetic Opioids Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The most recent provisional data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that approximately 81,230 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12-months ending in May 2020. This represents a worsening of the drug overdose epidemic in the United States and is the largest number of drug overdoses for a 12-month period ever recorded. The increases in drug overdose deaths appear to have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Synthetic opioids are the primary driver of the increases in overdose deaths.
“The increase in overdose deaths is concerning,” said Deb Houry, MD, MPH, director of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “Our priority is to do everything we can to equip people on the ground to save lives in their communities.”
The City of Alexandria recently launched a mail delivery program to make it easier for residents to obtain Narcan, an easy-to-use nasal spray that can save the life of someone experiencing an opioid overdose. Residents can obtain Narcan for free by emailing their name and mailing address to the City’s Opioid Response Coordinator at emily.bentley@alexandriava.gov. Residents can also obtain Narcan by appointment at the Alexandria Health Department by calling 703.746.4888.Narcan is also available without a prescription at all pharmacies.
For more information on Narcan and how to obtain it, visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids. If you or someone you care about need help with addiction, call 703.746.3636 (Virginia Relay 711), 24 hours a day. For help to stop using heroin or other opioids, call the Opioid Treatment Program intake line at 703.746.3610. Individuals who do not live in Alexandria can find treatment options at samhsa.gov or by calling 800.662.HELP (4357). For life-threatening situations, call or text 911 immediately.
|
|
Alexandria Library to Offer Free Academic Resources at Tutor.com
The Alexandria Library will soon offer free academic resources and online tutoring from Tutor.com! All customers with a library card can use the service to get help with homework, class projects, papers—even test prep. Tutoring is available in all core K-12 subjects – math, science, English, social studies and writing, including AP-level assistance. Students can access live, online tutoring from any Internet-capable device.
This resource is available to anyone with an Alexandria Library card. Temporary library cards can be obtained online while the library is closed and customers can get a permanent card by making an appointment for curbside pickup with one of our local branches. Click here to access this resources and view a tutorial to see how this service works. |
|
Virginia Tech Center for Enhancement of Engineering Diversity Opens Program Applications
The Virginia Tech Center for Enhancement of Engineering Diversity has opened applications for pre-college science, technology, engineering and mathematics programming for spring and summer 2021 . Free programs offered online this spring include:
-
RISE - High school sophomores and juniors will be emailed information about attending a menu of different sessions including, but not limited to, Engineering Open House the week of March 29 and VT NSBE's Pre-college Initiative. Events will also be posted on our Instagram page @vtrise.
-
PCI – Middle and high school students and their parents are invited to participate in Saturday events led by our Virginia Tech NSBE chapter. Spring dates are February 20, March 27, and April 24. Email nsbe.vt.pci@gmail.com to receive the registration link.
-
Kids’ Tech University - Ages 9 through 12 as of September 30, 2020. Program dates are Jan. 30, Feb. 27, March 20 and April 10th, 2021, morning only. Packet of materials will be mailed ahead of time. Registration fee is $50.00 per child. Scholarships are available. Registration closes 1/15/2021.
|
|
Emma Beall, MPH
SAPCA Coordinator
O: 703.746.3670
C: 571.302.1022
|
|
Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria
123 N Pitt St, Suite 225
Alexandria, VA 22314
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
