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City of Alexandria, VA

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  • Live

    Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.

    • Be Prepared

      Are you ready? Find resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

      • Flooding Preparedness
      • Snow and Ice Control
      • Hurricane Preparedness
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Health Emergency
    • Community Life

      Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

      • Community Gardens
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Parks
      • Pets
      • Recreation
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards and Commissions
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • City Academies
      • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus and Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Historic Preservation

      Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

      • Alexandria History
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Historic Alexandria
      • Historic Districts
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • Building & Construction
      • Business Licenses
      • Health Permits
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
    • Parking

      Information about parking in the City of Alexandria, including parking options, enforcement, districts and permits.

      • Contest a Parking Ticket
      • Guest Parking Permits
      • Parking Permits
      • Parking Studies
      • Parking in Old Town
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Domestic Violence
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual Assault
      • Substance Abuse Prevention
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving and Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Schools & Libraries

      Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Library
      • Child Care
      • Higher Learning
      • Out of School Time Programs
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care Assistance
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Resources
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Utilities

      The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective service:

      • Cable TV (Comcast / Xfinity)
      • Drinking Water (Virginia American Water)
      • Electricity (Dominion Energy)
      • Natural Gas (Washington Gas)
      • Sewage/Water Treatment (Alex Renew)
      • Wired Telephone (Verizon)
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  • Play

    Whether you live here or are just visiting, Alexandria is a great place to shop, dine, take in the arts, get outdoors, and just have fun.

    • About Alexandria

      If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

      • Alexandria's History
      • Demographics & Statistics
      • Maps & GIS
      • Visit Alexandria
    • Arts & Culture

      Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Historic Property Rentals
      • Museums & Historic Sites
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
      • Office of the Arts
    • Entertainment

      Find events and activities, shops and restaurants, concerts and performances, arts and culture, historic attractions, parks and libraries, farmers' markets, and more.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Office of the Arts
      • Visit Alexandria: Things to Do
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Museums & Historic Sites

      Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

      • City Museums
      • Historic Sites & Attractions
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront Parks
      • ParkLink Interactive Map
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Visit Alexandria

      Information about visiting Alexandria, including shopping, dining, attractions, accommodations, events listings and more. Plan your visit with an itinerary builder, interactive maps, hotel booking, online restaurant reservations and much more.

      • Group Tours
      • Meet in Alexandria
      • Plan Your Visit
      • Trip Planning Assistance
      • Visitor Center
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  • Services

    We are here to serve you. Browse the topics to the right to learn more about the programs and services we offer.

    • Alex311

      Connect with professional and knowledgeable staff for City service and information requests from every City department.

      • Missed Collection
      • Parking
      • Potholes
      • Street Cleaning
      • Trash & Recycling Containers
      • Trees
      • Yard Waste / Bulky Items Pickup
    • Animals

      What you need to know about animals, pets and wildlife in Alexandria.

      • Animal Adoption
      • Animal Control
      • Dog Parks
    • Buildings & Construction

      The City provides services to residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors needing permits for constructions and other developments.

      • Building Codes
      • City Code
      • Code Administration
      • Green Building
      • Land Use & Zoning
      • Permit Center
      • Permits & Land Use Applications
    • Environment

      "Green" initiatives, air quality, noise, water conservation, mosquito and rodent control.

      • Air Quality
      • Clean Waterways
      • Climate Change
      • Eco-City Alexandria
      • Green Building
      • Mosquito Control
      • Noise Control
      • Rodent Control
      • Stormwater Management
    • Jobs
      • City Government Jobs
      • Alexandria City Public Schools
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Maps & GIS

      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) centrally manages, shares and analyzes information about locations through specialized mapping technology. This information increases transparency, improves many City technology applications and provides critical data to decision makers and the public.

      • Interactive Maps
      • Open Data
      • Standard Maps
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Property & Housing

      The City administers various housing-related programs and services.

      • Housing Master Plan
      • Landlord & Property Manager Resources
      • Maps & GIS
      • Office of Housing
      • Parcel Viewer
      • Real Estate Assessments
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Emergency Mental Health Services
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual and Domestic Violence Services
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving & Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care
      • Children & Families
      • Discrimination & Disabilities
      • Gang & Youth Violence Prevention
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Assistance
      • Human Rights
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Transportation Planning
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  • Business

    Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

    • Business Resources

      The City provides services and resources to help existing businesses expand within the City and promotes recruiting new businesses in Alexandria.

      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • BIPOC Small Business Program
      • Doing Business with the City
      • New Business Guide
      • Public-Private Partnerships
    • Jobs

      Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

      • City Government Jobs
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • APEX Permitting & Land Use System
      • Business Licenses
      • Business Outdoor Program & Permits
      • Health Permits
      • Permit Center
      • Zoning Information
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Business License Tax
      • Business Personal Property Tax
      • Lodging Tax
      • Meal Tax
      • Payments
      • Real Estate Assessment Search
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Sales Tax
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Getting Around
      • Vehicle Registration
      • GO Alex Commuter Resources
      • Parking in Alexandria
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  • Government

    Learn more about Alexandria's accountable, effective, and well-managed government.

    • City Council

      The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

      • City Council Calendar
      • Communicate with City Council
      • Council Assignments
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Speak at a Meeting
    • Boards & Commissions

      The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.

      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Apply for a Board or Commission
      • Boards & Commission Calendar
      • Boards & Commission Vacancies
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
      • Planning Commission
      • Park & Recreation Commission
      • Transportation Commission
    • Departments & Agencies

      View a list of City departments, offices and other agencies, and learn about their role in the organization.

      • City Government Departments & Offices
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
      • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA)
      • Alexandria Transit Company (DASH)
      • Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA)
      • Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • Visit Alexandria (Official Tourism Site)
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Police Department
      • Fire Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Courts
      • Office of Emergency Management
      • Emergency & Customer Communications
      • Community Policing Review Board
    • Elected Officials

      Alexandria voters elect a Mayor and City Council and three local officers, as well as state and federal representatives.

      • City Council
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • Commonwealth's Attorney
      • Sheriff
      • Voting in Alexandria
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards & Commissions
      • City of Alexandria Academy Programs
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Transparency

      The City government acts with integrity in an open process, and provides timely access to clear, trustworthy information, presented and employed by all parties from the beginning to the end of the process, including the reasoning that leads to and supports the policy conclusion.

      • Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Performance Analytics
      • Alexandria's Strategic Plan
      • Race & Social Equity
      • Community Policing Review Board
      • Collective Bargaining
      • City Code
      • Open Data
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  • Projects & Plans

    Much of our work involves creating and improving infrastructure and planning for the future. Learn more about major projects and plans here, and how you can get involved!

    • Arts & Culture

      Information about arts, culture and historic projects in the City.

      • Arts & Culture Master Plan
      • Public Art Implementation Plan
    • Development

      Information about commercial and residential development projects in the City.

      • Landmark/Van Dorn Area Planning
      • North Potomac Yard Implementation / Virginia Tech Innovation Campus
      • Potomac River Generating Station Redevelopment
    • Environmental

      Information about environmental and "green" projects in the City.

      • 500 Block N. Pitt St. Sewer Separation Project
      • Flood Action Alexandria
      • Franklin St. Sewer Relocation Project
      • Holmes Run Trail Repairs
      • Lucky Run Stream Restoration
      • Oronoco Outfall Remediation Project
      • Wheeler Ave. Sanitary Sewer Pipe Relining
      • Windmill Hill Park Project - Phase II
    • Neighborhoods

      Information about neighborhood projects in the City.

      • Alexandria West Planning
      • Duke Street and West Taylor Run Project
      • Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail Station Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
      • King-Callahan-Russell Intersection Improvement Project
      • Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets
    • Parks & Recreation

      Information about parks and recreation projects in the City.

      • Beauregard Street Multi-Use Trail Project
      • Bicycle Parking
      • Eugene Simpson Park Renovation Projects
      • Joseph Hensley Park Renovation
      • Old Cameron Run Trail Project
      • Robinson Terminal South Update: Historic Ship Stabilization
    • Public Facilities

      Information about public facilities projects in the City.

      • Alexandria Waterfront
      • King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project
      • Municipal Broadband
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
    • Social Services

      Information about social services projects and plans in the City.

      • Aging and Adult Services
      • Early Care & Education Common Agenda
      • The Partnership to Prevent & End Homelessness
    • Transportation

      Information about transportation projects and plans in and around the City.

      • Adaptive Traffic Signal Control
      • Alexandria Mobility Plan
      • Complete Streets
      • Duke Street in Motion
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
      • Smart Mobility
      • Traffic Mitigation
      • Vision Zero
      • West End Transitway
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  • Calendar

    There's always something to do in Alexandria! Browse community events, government meetings and activities, and important deadlines.

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Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA)

Information about the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA).
Page updated on March 2, 2023 at 12:18 PM

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  • Department of Community & Human Services

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Latest news

Check out SAPCA's March 2023 newsletter to learn about our recent activities.

Learn facts about alcohol, marijuana, e-cigarettes and prescription and over-the-counter medication.

Looking for resources for practicing self-care, building resilience, and managing wellness? Click here.

Explore tips for communicating with teens . This resource is also available in Spanish .

Volunteer with SAPCA

Hands raised that are different colors.

Interested in making a difference in your community? Explore some of the ways youth and adults of all ages can get involved with SAPCA to advance our community's youth substance use prevention efforts:

  • Facts and Consequences Presenter
    • What: Share information with middle and high school students about the facts and consequences of using alcohol and other drugs; peer pressure; and healthy ways to cope with stress through classroom visits and assemblies. No previous experience is required to volunteer and training will be provided.
    • When: Presentations take place between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
    • Time commitment: Presenters are required to attend an hour-long training before they begin presenting to students. Presentations range from 45 minutes - 1.5 hours in total length. 
  • Outreach team
    • What: Share information about healthy decision making with youth and families and promote upcoming SAPCA initiatives during community outreach events.
    • When: Outreach events generally take place during week day evenings and weekend afternoons.
    • Time commitment: Including set up and clean up, most outreach events are a total of two-four hours.
  • Event team
    • What: Work with the SAPCA coordinator and the event team to plan and host upcoming events by designing flyers, reaching out to key partners, and supporting event logistics.
    • When: Events generally take place during week day evenings and weekend mornings and afternoons. Communication about event planning can take place via phone, email, virtual and/or in-person meetings Monday-Friday during normal business hours based on volunteers' schedules. Volunteers may also complete tasks independently on their own schedule.
    • Time commitment: Including set up and clean up, most events are a total of two-four hours.
  • Project team
    • What: Support the coalition in carrying out initiatives in our action plan by working independently with the SAPCA coordinator and the Board of Directors.
    • When: Communication about event planning can take place via phone, email, virtual and/or in-person meetings Monday-Friday during normal business hours based on volunteers' schedules. Volunteers may also complete tasks independently on their own schedule.
    • Time commitment: Volunteer hours can be completed on a weekly or monthly basis depending on volunteers' schedules.
  • Op-ed author
    • What: Write opinion articles for local papers about key issues and events.
    • When: Communication about op-ed topics and key points can take place via phone, email, virtual and/or in-person meetings Monday-Friday during normal business hours based on volunteers' schedules. Volunteers may also complete tasks independently on their own schedule.
    • Time commitment: Volunteer hours can be completed independently on a weekly or monthly basis depending on volunteers' schedules.

No previous experience is required to volunteer. Contact Emma Beall at emma.beall@alexandriava.gov or 571.302.1022 to learn more.

Learn more about the For Our Future messaging campaign

SAPCA is launching For Our Future, a campaign to promote the health benefits of living alcohol-free, alternatives to alcohol use, and the importance of supportive role models. Learn more.

Caregiver walking with child

 

Más información sobre Por Nuestro Futuro, una campaña de comunicación

SAPCA está lanzando Por Nuestro Futuro, una campaña de comunicación que promueve los beneficios para la salud de vivir sin alcohol, alternativas al consumo de alcohol, y la importancia de contar con modelos de apoyo. Más información.

Family talking

 

 

Think you know about fentanyl? Think again.

Fast Facts

  • Fentanyl is a tasteless and odorless synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

  • Only two salt-sized grains of fentanyl may cause an opioid overdose.

  • Street drugs can be laced with fentanyl without the user's knowledge. These may include:

    • Marijuana

    • Vaping e-liquids

    • Fake pills

    • Cocaine

  • Since fentanyl is randomly distributed in laced substances, one "dose" may have a fatal amount when another does not.

  • If medication has not been prescribed to you, it runs the risk of being laced.

  • Looks are deceiving -- fake pills look real. Only take medication prescribed by a doctor or purchased at a pharmacy. It may only take a small amount of fentanyl to cause an opioid overdose.

Learn more about fentanyl and help spread the word by sharing these flyers:

  • For youth: Facts about fentanyl
  • For adults: Facts about fentanyl
SAPCA members celebrate the coalition's 10 year anniversary during a meeting in December 2018.

Supporting Healthy Youth and Healthy Families

SAPCA encourages families to talk with children and teens about substance use and misuse. Check out these ideas for starting - or continuing - the conversation:

  1. Make your values clear about substance use - particularly underage use of substances - with children and teens. 
  2. Have a conversation about family rules and consequences. Topics to discuss together could include:

    • What is a realistic curfew for week nights? Is curfew different on weekends?
    • What are some of the potential consequences of arriving home past curfew? How might these consequences change if communication takes place to explain a delay?
  3. Talk about the health, legal and social consequences of using substances like  alcohol,  marijuana, and  e-cigarettes and misusing prescription and over-the-counter medication. 
  4.  Know the legal consequences related to underage use of these substances. It is illegal for anyone under 21 to use, purchase or possess alcohol, marijuana or tobacco products. It is also illegal for anyone over 21 to provide alcohol, marijuana or tobacco  products to persons under 21.

Resource Spotlight: Playbook for Parents To Support Healthy Youth

The Partnership to End Addiction has released two comprehensive resources to support families with children and teens: "Playbook for Parents of Pre-Teens" and "Playbook for Parents of Teens." These guides highlight key factors that increase the likelihood youth will experience more difficult circumstances in life (risk factors) and those factors that can provide a buffer against these negative outcomes (protective factors). By learning about these challenges and sources of strength, parents and caregivers can take action to protect their children's health and well-being now and in the future. Explore other resources from the Partnership to End Addiction here.

Who We Are

SAPCA is an alliance of parents, youth, schools, city health and recreation agencies, media, nonprofits, businesses, policymakers and law enforcement.

Our mission is to engage diverse sectors of the community in collaborative, cross-cultural and comprehensive substance abuse prevention efforts that result in a reduction of underage substance use and abuse in the City of Alexandria.

SAPCA is a member of the  Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) , the nation’s leading drug abuse prevention organization. CADCA represents the interests of more than 5,000 community anti-drug coalitions and comprises members from every U.S. state and territory. 

SAPCA uses a variety of community-wide strategies to accomplish our goals -- outlined in our action plan . Each of these strategies represents a key element in building and maintaining a healthy community.

Board Members

Officers

  • Chair: Allen Lomax, Independent Consultant

  • Vice Chair: Kimberly Hyde Santucci, Salem Media Marketing Director

  • Secretary: Kate Harbour, Alexandria City High School Senior

  • Treasurer: Fredy Martinez, Alexandria City Public Schools K-12 Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Services Coordinator

Board of Directors

  • Cheyenne McKay, Alexandria City High School Junior
  • Gabriel Elias, Alexandria City High School International Academy Teacher
  • Keiry Cortez, Francis C. Hammond Middle School 8th grader
  • Maureen McNulty, Neighborhood Health Ryan White Nurse
  • Tom Gates, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Deputy Executive Director for Operations and Programs

Staff

  • Emma Beall, SAPCA Coordinator

SAPCA By-Laws 

Top 1- Things Youth and Adults Should Know about Marijuana Legalization in Virginia

On July 1, 2021, marijuana was legalized for adults, 21 years or older, with certain conditions. SAPCA thought youth and adults should know these Top 10 Things about the new law. They are:

  1. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to use, purchase, or possess any amount of marijuana.
  2. Adults may possess up to one ounce (28.3 grams) and use marijuana in Virginia.
  3. Adults may grow up to four marijuana plants per household—not per person. Youth access to these plants must be restricted and plants should not be grown in a public place. Each plant must have a legible tag attached with the owner’s name, driver’s license or ID number, and a statement that it is grown for a personal use as authorized by law.
  4. It is illegal for anyone to use marijuana in a public space.
  5. Adults may use marijuana in a private residence but the owner of a residence can restrict the use of marijuana in the residence.
  6. Colleges and universities in Virginia have the right to prohibit marijuana use and possession on their campuses and in campus housing.
  7. It is illegal for anyone to buy or sell marijuana, including marijuana seeds.
  8. It is also illegal to ship, transport, import or bring marijuana or marijuana products into Virginia.
  9. It is unsafe to drive while under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, or a combination of these substances.
  10. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to use, purchase, or possess any amount of marijuana.

    Learn more facts about the new Virginia Legalization Law at  cannabis.virginia.gov

Resource Spotlight: Raising Resilient Kids

The Partnership to End Addiction recently launched Raising Resilient Kids, an initiative to help families raise supported and healthy children. This launch included the introduction of A Parent’s Guide to Raising Resilient Kids, a resource that highlights 10 key protective parenting strategies that research has shown can promote resilience in your children. Some of these strategies may seem like simple, common-sense practices, like sharing your expectations and encouraging healthy risk-taking, but applying them effectively and over time takes a lot of dedication, time, patience, and drive. Click here to download A Parent’s Guide to Raising Resilient Kids. To learn more about the Partnership to End Addiction, click here.

Donate to SAPCA

Want to donate to SAPCA?  We welcome your involvement and support. 

Donations via credit card can be submitted here.

Donations in the form of a check can be made out to the City of Alexandria with "SAPCA" written in the memo line. Checks should be mailed to the following address:
Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria
C/O Emma Beall
123 N. Pitt Street, Suite 225
Alexandria, VA 22314

Supporting Positive Youth Development

  • Family dinner tool kit
  • Family conversation starters

Contact Us

If you would like additional information or are interested in getting involved with the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria or one if its initiatives, please contact:

Emma Beall 
Coordinator, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria
Emma.beall@alexandriava.gov
703.746.3670

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