Fast Facts

• Alcohol consumption can weaken the body’s immune system and increase susceptibility to respiratory viral infections such as COVID-19. Learn about healthy ways to cope with fear and uncertainty.
• Some people try to use alcohol to deal with physical or emotional pain, but research has shown that it can make pain worse.  Learn about City resources available to help those dealing with pain. 
• Healthy coping practices can be as simple as creating space to exercise, video chatting with friends or family or spending five or ten minutes using a meditation app.
• Even small amounts of alcohol impact judgment, coordination, and the way you make decisions.
• Drinking alcohol during the teen years can harms the growing brain and increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder later in life.  The brain is not fully developed until age 25.

• The amount of liquid in a glass, can or bottle does not always match up with how much alcohol is in a drink. In the United States, a standard drink contains about 0.6 fluid ounces, or 14 grams, of pure alcohol. Even though they come in different sizes, the drinks pictured below are examples of one standard drink and each contain approximately the same amount of alcohol.
  

• Binge drinking is the most common, costly, and deadly pattern of  excessive alcohol use in the United States. Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 g/dl or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks or women consume 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours.
• Alcohol use disorder is a treatable medical condition, not a moral failure.  Alcohol use disorder is characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite social, occupational, or health consequences. It encompasses the conditions that some people refer to as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, and the colloquial term, alcoholism. No matter how severe the problem may seem, evidence-based treatment can help people with alcohol use disorder achieve and maintain recovery.
•  Research has shown that alcohol use disorder runs in families. Young people with parents that have a history of substance abuse are  four times more likely to develop a substance use disorder if they choose to drink alcohol. If substance abuse runs in your family, it’s important to realize that you are at a higher risk of developing alcoholism if you drink. 
• If someone pressures you to do anything that’s not healthy for you, such as drinking alcohol, you have the right to say no.

Legal Consequences

It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for anyone under 21 to buy, consume, or possess any alcohol beverage. Penalties upon conviction include:

• Mandatory minimum fine of $500 (up to $2,500) or a minimum of 50 hours of community service
• Loss of driver’s license for 6 to 12 months
• Up to 12 months in jail
• Possible expulsion from school if caught on school property and/or possible loss of participation in all after school activities
• The additional penalty for driving after illegally consuming alcohol is mandatory loss of a driver’s license for one year or a delay in obtaining a first license.
• For use of a fake ID to purchase an alcoholic beverage, the additional penalty is loss of a driver’s license for up to one year.

It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for adults to provide alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of 21. Penalties upon conviction include: 

• A $2,500 fine per young person provided any alcoholic beverage
• Loss of the adult’s driver’s license for up to one year and/or one year in jail

Additional Resources

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Partnership to End Addiction
• Stop Underage Drinking

What is an e-cigarette?

E-cigarette is an umbrella term for a variety of devices that produce an aerosol users inhale. These devices come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, are typically battery-powered and are referred to by many names, such as:

• E-cigs
• E-hookahs
•  Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)
• JUULs
• Mods
• Tank systems
• Vapes
• Vape pens

Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the addictive substance found in combustible tobacco cigarettes. For example, one JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. Additionally, there have been numerous cases of individuals using these products with THC, the psychoactive, addictive chemical in marijuana. Using e-cigarettes with marijuana is sometimes referred to as “dabbing.”

Facts about e-cigarettes

• E-cigarettes produce an aerosol, not water vapor, when the inserted liquid is heated. The user inhales this aerosol into their lungs.
• Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the addictive substance found in tobacco. This includes products labeled as “nicotine-free,” due to a lack of regulation by the FDA.
• One JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes.
• Teen e-cigarette users are more likely to start smoking. 30% of youth who used e-cigarettes started smoking combustible tobacco products within six months. 
• Many flavored e-cigarettes contain a chemical (diacetyl) that can cause permanent damage to the respiratory system.
• E-cigarettes are not approved by the FDA as an aid to quit smoking.
• If a person has not smoked by age 18, they are three times more likely to never start.
• The brain is especially vulnerable to tobacco addition between the ages of 18-25. If teens are exposed to nicotine while brain is still developing, they are more likely to develop an addiction.
• 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.
• Secondhand aerosol, similar to secondhand smoke, is the plume of chemicals released into the environment directly from the e-cigarette/pod-based devices and from the lungs of the user. Common places for exposure to secondhand aerosol include restaurants, parks, vehicles, and designated smoking areas. Chemicals that are released include harmful substances such as nicotine, heavy metals, ultrafine particles that fall deep into the lungs, cancerous chemicals, and volatile organic compounds. Exposure can lead to cancer, respiratory infections, and make someone’s asthma worse among other problems.
• E-cigarettes also pose a danger to people other than the user through thirdhand aerosol. Thirdhand aerosol is the mixture of chemicals in e-cigarette/vape pen aerosol that remain on surfaces and in dust, even after the aerosol is gone, and react with other chemicals in the environment to form toxic chemicals. These potentially harmful chemicals can be exposed to other people or animals through the respiratory system, through ingestions, and through skin exposure. Small children are especially at risk for thirdhand aerosol exposure because they tend to put things into their mouths and they have more vulnerable skin.

Health concerns

Since July 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been investigating cases of severe lung injury associate with vaping. All cases have reported use of e-cigarettes, with a majority reporting use of THC-containing products.  However, no single product has been linked to all cases. CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working with state health departments to determine what might be causing the illnesses.

Reported symptoms include cough, shortness of breath and fatigue, with symptoms growing worse over days or weeks leading to difficulty breathing and, in many cases, admission to the hospital. Other symptoms may include fever, chest pain, nausea and diarrhea. Patients report “vaping” (i.e. the practice of inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced by an e-cigarette or similar device) in the weeks and months before becoming ill. Although no specific product has been linked with the disease, many of the patients vaped marijuana oil, extracts, or concentrates.

Individuals with a history of vaping who are experiencing breathing problems should seek medical care right away. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html to learn more about vaping-related illnesses. 

Other dangers associated with e-cigarettes

• Between 2009 and 2016, there were 195 e-cigarette explosion-related injuries and fires, resulting in 38 “severe” injuries.

• From 2015 to 2017, there were an estimated 2,035 e-cigarette explosion and burn injuries presenting to US hospital emergency departments

• In the past several years, e-cigarettes have resulted in more than 30 smoke or fire incidents on planes and at airports

What parents can do

• Talk to your child about the risks of e-cigarette use. Unsure how to start the conversation? Here are some resources:
  • What You Need to Know And How to Talk With Your Kids About Vaping 
  • How to Talk to Your Kids About Vaping
• Make your values clear: express your expectation that your children remain drug-free.
• Emphasize local data: most teens in Alexandria are not using e-cigarettes. In 2016, 7.5% of 10th and 6.0% of 8th graders reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. 
• Encourage youth to educate themselves using credible sources in order to make informed choices
• Clarify misconceptions. The term “vaping” is commonly used informally to refer to e-cigarette use. However, many youth and adults do not recognize that e-cigarette use and vaping are the same. Help make the connection that vaping is the same as e-cigarette use. 

Get help to quit using e-cigarettes and other tobacco products

• The quitline is free for youth ages 13+. Through this resource, youth receive 4 phone calls with trained tobacco cessation counselors. To access this resource, call 1-800-QUITNOW or visit QuitNow.net/Virginia to chat live with a Quit Coach.

• The Truth Initiative has an app, ThisIsQuitting, as well as texting services for cessation. 
  • Text "DITCHJUUL" to 88709 to receive tips to quit through text.
• Visit  Smokefree.gov to learn more about other quitting resources. 

SAPCA's work addressing e-cigarettes

SAPCA has been taking the following steps to educate and inform the community about these concerns:

• Formed a vaping work group comprised of Alexandria City Public Schools students to brainstorm ways to address vaping systemically. This group is creating and implementing a strategic plan and is actively looking for youth and adults interested in addressing this issue. To get involved, contact Fredy Martinez at Fredy.Martinez@acps.k12.va.us or 703-619-8278

• Crafted a seminar for Red Ribbon Week, the longest running drug prevention program, to provide information about vaping and to encourage youth to take a drug-free pledge.  This seminar was delivered to 10,000 students at the elementary, middle and high school level. 

• Presented to the T.C. Parent Teacher Association about e-cigarettes.  

• Educated lawmakers about Tobacco 21, a law that was successfully passed and signed into law on July 1, 2019. This law prevents anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing, using or possessing any tobacco, nicotine vapor or alternative tobacco product.

• Delivering classroom presentations and assemblies to middle and high school students about the facts and consequences of substance use and abuse. During these presentations, students also have an opportunity to brainstorm creative ways to resist peer pressure.

• Presenting to students caught using substances at school as part of a collaborative program delivered in partnership with the Court Services Unit and the Department of Community and Human Services. Students referred to the program are screened and attend with a parent to engage in a restorative practice regarding the violation to the school code of conduct through a combination of engaging group presentations and one-on-one activities.

• Distributing a coach’s resource packet that provides information about substance use and abuse. The packet can be found here and it educates and encourages coaches 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 that using these substances is not allowed.

• Presented to the Children Youth and Families Collaborative Commission about e-cigarettes. Click here to view the presentation.

Additional Resources

• Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Rethink Vape
• Taking Down Tobacco

Information 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

Fast Facts

• The main psychoactive chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC
  • THC acts upon specific sites of the brain that ultimately lead to the “high” that users experience, including areas of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, coordinated movement and judgement. 
• Marijuana's structure has changed over time.
  • The marijuana available today is much stronger than previous versions; it contains varying levels of THC, the component responsible for euphoria and intoxication, and cannabidiol (CBD).
  • The THC concentration in commonly cultivated marijuana plants has increased three-fold between 1995 and 2014 - from 4% to 12%. Concentrated products, commonly known as dabs or waxes, are far more widely available to users and may contain between 23.7% and 75.9% THC.
• No amount of marijuana use during adolescence is known to be safe. Until and unless more is known about the long-term impact, the safest choice for adolescents is not to use marijuana.
• It is unsafe safe for anyone to drive while under the influence of marijuana.
  • Marijuana significantly impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time; studies have found a direct relationship between blood THC concentration and impaired driving ability.
• Marijuana is addictive.
  • Recent data suggest that 30% of those who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder. Marijuana use disorder becomes addiction when a person cannot stop using the drug even though it interferes with many aspects of life.
  • One in five youth that use marijuana become addicted.
• Marijuana users may experience physical withdrawal symptoms.
  • Marijuana use disorders are often associated with dependence -- in which a person feels withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug. People who use marijuana frequently often report irritability, mood and sleep difficulties, decreased appetite, cravings, restlessness, and/or various forms of physical discomfort that peak within the first week after quitting and last up to two weeks.
  • The risks of physical dependence, addiction, and other negative consequences increase with exposure to high concentrations of THC. Higher doses of THC are also more likely to produce anxiety, agitation, paranoia, and psychosis.
• Marijuana can remain in the body for days
  • Although detectable amounts of THC may remain in the body for days or even weeks after use, the noticeable effects of smoked marijuana generally last from 1 to 3 hours, and those of marijuana consumed in food or drink may last for many hours.
  • Edible marijuana takes time to absorb and to produce its effects, increasing the risk of unintentional overdose, as well as accidental ingestion, by children and adolescents.
• Marijuana use is linked to risk for and early onset of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. The risk for psychotic disorders increases with frequency of use and potency of the marijuana product. 
• Adolescent marijuana use is associated with the use and abuse of other substances.
• Chronic marijuana use has been linked to declines in IQ, school performance, and self-reported quality of life. Studies also consistently show that individuals that use marijuana are less likely to graduate from high school or college and more likely to be unemployed. 

Talking With Children and Teens About Marijuana

• Focus on one goal: You do not want them to use.
• Stick to simple, straightforward arguments:
  • Marijuana makes it harder for your brain to make
    good decisions.
  • Marijuana reduces motivation and increases
    impulsivity.
  • For some people, once they start using
    marijuana, they can’t or won’t stop.
  • Marijuana can keep you from doing and being your
    best.  

What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

• Cannabidiol (CBD) is chemical that comes from the cannabis plant that does not contain THC.
• CBD is often used to treat epilepsy, anxiety and chronic pain.
• Side effects of CBD include tiredness, dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea and changes in appetite.
• CBD is not approved by the FDA.
  • It can be very dangerous to purchase items that don’t have FDA approval because there is always a chance of unlisted (e.g. extra) ingredients.
  • In one study, more than 25% of products tested contained less CBD than advertised and THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, was found in over 20% of tested products.

Additional Resources

Marijuana Facts - NIDA
Smart Approaches to Marijuana 
Marijuana Harmless? Think Again. 
The Impact of Marijuana Legalization - (Powerpoint Presentation) 

City of Alexandria Officials Warn of Dangers Posed by Recent Spike in Opioid Overdoses, Especially Among Youth ­­

On May 4, 2022, City of Alexandria officials warned the community about a recent spike in suspected fentanyl-related overdoses, especially in school-aged youth who report using a “little blue pill” they believed was Percocet. Illicit drugs are often laced with fentanyl, an inexpensive substitute that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and can be deadly.

“Most juvenile cases reported involved either smoking or ingesting a ‘blue pill’ that is being sold as a Percocet pill,” said Captain Monica Lisle, Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division at the Alexandria Police Department. “There were two reported overdose deaths of juveniles last week in a neighboring jurisdiction involving this same type of pill, so we are doing all we can to warn youth and other community members of the resources available to combat this epidemic.

Here are some key facts to share to raise awareness about this topic in our community: 

• Kids as young as 14 are crushing and smoking little blue pills they think are Percocet
• Six youth from Alexandria have recently overdosed requiring medical intervention
• Two youth died in Prince William County
• The pills may be laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine
• Parents can get free Narcan and Fentanyl test strips – just email opioids@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3326; if given in time, Narcan, can save the life of someone who is overdosing from opioids; fentanyl test strips detect the presence of fentanyl in unregulated injectable drugs, powders and pills
• For reliable info: the DEA has a great campaign, One Pill Can Kill, https://www.dea.gov/onepill and the City’s Opioid Work Group website, https://www.alexandriava.gov/Opioids
• Parents - have conversations with your kids about this
• Youth – let your friends and family know about the danger
• For confidential questions, concerns, or education reach out to opioids@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3326
• To share information regarding the illegal sale of opioids or other drugs, call the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6277
• For life-threatening situations, call 9-1-1 immediately

Fast Facts: Prescription Drugs

When used as prescribed by a doctor, prescription medicines can be helpful in treating many illnesses. However, when these medicines are misused, they can have serious consequence. The three classes of prescription drugs are most often abused are opioids, depressants and stimulants.

• Opioids are used for pain relief. Examples include Vicodin or Oxycontin.
• Depressants are used to relieve anxiety or help a person sleep. Examples include Xanax or Valium. 
• Stimulants are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. Examples include Adderall or Ritalin.

When prescription drugs are abused, they can become addictive and put you at risk for harmful health effects, including:

• Sleepiness and disorientation
• Increased blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature
• Shallow/slowed breathing
• Paranoia
• Constipation and upset stomach

Fast Facts: Over-The-Counter Medication

Over-the-counter medication, such as cough and cold medicine, can be purchased without a prescription from a doctor. These medications are safe to use when you follow the directions on the label and as directed by your health care providers. 

Some cold medication contains the ingredient DXM (dextromethorphan). If someone abuses this medication and takes higher doses than recommended, harmful health effects can occur. These include: dizziness; double or blurred vision; slurred speech; abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; rapid heartbeat; drowsiness; and coma or death.

FDA warns about serious problems with high doses of the allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death. There are several reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the “Benadryl Challenge” encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok.

• Prescriptions, including opioids and over-the-counter medication can be abused when a person takes a medication that was prescribed to someone else, takes their own prescription in a way not intended by a doctor, or takes a medication with the intention of getting high.

• Help keep our community safe by locking up prescription and over-the-counter medication and disposing of unused or expired medication at one of Alexandria's permanent medication drop boxes. 

• Learn more about disposing of unused and expired medication safely. 

Additional Resources

• Curb the Crisis

• Know the RxSK Use with Caution

• Stop Medicine Abuse

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

What is peer pressure?
Peer pressure is the feeling that someone your own age is pushing you toward making a certain choice, good or bad. Peer pressure can take place in many settings, including online.There are various times of peer pressure, such as:

• Put-down/Spoken: Insulting or calling a person names
• Unspoken: Something you feel without anyone saying anything to you
• Rejection: Threatening to end a friendship or relationship
• Reasoning: Telling a person reasons why they should try something or why it would be OK

Why does peer pressure work?
We all respond to peer pressure differently and sometimes it can be difficult to resist. Some reasons that teens may feel unable to resist peer pressure include that they are:

• Afraid of being rejected by others
• Want to be liked 
• Do not want to lose a friend 
• Want to appear grown up
• Do not want to be made fun of
• Do not want to hurt someone’s feelings
• Are not sure how to respond
• Are not sure what they really want
• Do not know how to get out of the situation

Tips for Resisting Peer Pressure

• Stand up straight
• Make eye contact
• Say how you feel
• Stick up for yourself
• Focus on your behavior and response
• Avoid being judgmental and putting down choices that others make.
• Honor your value system. 
• Be confident
• Remember, “no” is a full sentence   

• Test your knowledge about alcohol and drugs with this Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge quiz. 
• Check out NIDA’s Drugs & Health Blog for teens to learn about drugs and addiction and tips for staying healthy. You can also comment on posts and talk with other teens. 

• Modeling healthy coping mechanisms is one crucial way parents and caring adults can help prevent youth substance use and abuse in our community. If adults model that substances are needed to relieve stress, or used as a coping mechanism, it can send the wrong message to youth.
• Even though it might not seem like it, children and teens really do hear you when you talk to them about alcohol. By preparing and practicing for these scenarios, parents and caring adults can equip children and teens to make healthy decisions for their health and future.  Talk early and often about the dangers of underage drinking and other substances. 
• Look for and take opportunities to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol and other substances by having conversations about healthy decision-making and avoiding risky behaviors, with a focus on understanding and responding to peer pressure.  
• Be prepared for questions, but do not assume youth are engaging in risky behaviors based on what they ask questions.
• Take time to try to find out what youth are really asking - do they want advice or a listening ear? One way to determine if you are on the same page is by checking for understanding and asking “What I heard you say was ___. Is this correct?”
• Talk with your teens about what they can do if they are offered alcohol or other drugs and help your teen practice resisting peer pressure.  
• Additional tips for addressing tough topics:
  • Use teachable moments
  • Communicate about your feelings and values
  • Share a story and ask your child what they think
  • Be honest about your concerns
• Check out these guides for more tips on how to address underage drinking:
  • How to address underage drinking
  • Parent resources