SAPCA has launched a prevention campaign featuring a series of short videos created by ACHS students that encourage youth to be substance free. The videos, which feature Alexandria youth sharing reasons why they do not use alcohol, e-cigarettes, and cannabis, reinforce and raise awareness that the majority of Alexandria’s youth do not use substances. Explore the videos below and share them to help raise awareness about this campaign.

SAPCA has launched a prevention campaign featuring a series of short videos created by T.C. Williams High School students that encourage youth to be alcohol free. The videos, which feature Alexandria youth sharing reasons why they do not drink alcohol, reinforce and raise awareness of the social norm that the majority of youth in Alexandria do not drink alcohol. Teen alcohol use in Alexandria decreased 52% between 2011 and 2019. According to the 2019 Developmental Assets Profile, only 8% of 8th graders, 13% of 10th graders and 29% of 12th graders drank alcohol in the past 30 days.

Help raise awareness about this campaign and some of the reasons youth in Alexandria do not drink alcohol. Share these videos on social media and tag three others to share them with their own networks. Use sample posts below or create your own to inspire youth to be substance-free.  

Prevention campaign PSA #1: "I don't drink because..."

• As a family, talk early and often about how to respond to peer pressure. By preparing and practicing for these scenarios, parents can equip youth to make healthy decisions for their health and future. Explore tips to start the conversation at Preventitalexandria.org

Prevention campaign PSA #2: "I don't drink because..."

• Drinking alcohol during the teen years can harm the growing brain and increase the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Educate yourself and others about the risks and encourage youth to be substance-free. Learn more facts about alcohol at PreventItAlexandria.org.

Prevention campaign PSA #3:"I don't drink because..."

• Even small amounts of alcohol impact judgment, coordination, and the way you make decisions. Learn some of the reasons why Alexandria youth don’t drink alcohol in the video below, then share this video and why you don’t drink alcohol. Learn more at PreventItAlexandria.org.

Prevention campaign PSA #4:"I don't drink because..."

• Most teens in Alexandria do not drink alcohol, a trend to get behind. Learn some of the reasons why other Alexandria youth don’t drink alcohol in the video below, then share this video and why you don’t drink alcohol. Learn more at PreventItAlexandria.org.

SAPCA also provides tools and resources for residents to engage youth and initiate conversations regarding the dangers of alcohol and other substances, healthy decision making, avoiding risky behaviors, responding to peer pressure and more. 

Together, we can ensure that youth in Alexandria have the information and tools to make informed choices about their health and future so they can thrive today, tomorrow and in the future. To learn about other ways to support local efforts to prevent youth substance use and misuse, contact Emma Beall at emma.beall@alexandriava.gov

SAPCA has launched a prevention campaign featuring a series of short videos created by ACHS students that encourage youth to be marijuana free. The videos, which feature Alexandria youth sharing reasons why they do not use marijuana, reinforce and raise awareness that the majority of Alexandria’s youth do not use marijuana.

Help raise awareness about this campaign and some of the reasons youth in Alexandria do not use marijuana. Share these videos on social media and tag three others to share them with their own networks. Use sample posts below or create your own to inspire youth to be substance-free.  

• Most teens in Alexandria don’t use marijuana, a trend to get behind.  Learn some of the reasons why other Alexandria youth don’t use marijuana in the video below, then share this video and why you don’t use marijuana. Learn more at PreventItAlexandria.org.
• The brain is not fully developed until age 25. Using marijuana while the brain is still growing can increase the risk of developing marijuana use disorder. Learn more facts about marijuana at PreventItAlexandria.org. 
• Marijuana use impacts several brain functions, including decision-making, memory, and concentration. Educate yourself and others about the risks of youth marijuana use and encourage youth to stay substance-free. Learn more facts about marijuana at PreventItAlexandria.org.
• No amount of marijuana use by youth is known to be safe. Until and unless more is known about the long-term impacts, the safest choice for youth is to not use marijuana. Learn more facts about marijuana and explore tips for communicating with teens at PreventItAlexandria.org.  
• Even though it may not seem like it, children and teens hear you when you talk to them about marijuana. Educate yourself and others about the risks of youth marijuana use and explore tips for communicating with teens at PreventItAlexandria.org. 

Help raise awareness about the dangers of using e-cigarettes and inspire youth to stay substance free. Share these videos on social media and tag three others to share them with their own networks. Use the sample posts below or create your own.   

Vaping PSA #1: "I don't vape because..."
Did you know that 30% of teens that use e-cigarettes will start smoking traditional cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products within six months? Learn more facts about vaping at PreventItAlexandria.org

Vaping PSA: Learn the facts about vaping
Even though it might not seem like it, children and teens hear you when you talk to them about vaping. Educate yourself and others about the risks and encourage youth to stay substance-free. Learn more facts about vaping at PreventItAlexandria.org 

Vaping PSA #2: "I don't vape because..."
Most teens in Alexandria are not using e-cigarettes, a trend to get behind. In 2016, 7.5% of 10th and 6% of 8th graders reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. Learn more facts about vaping at PreventItAlexandria.org

Vaping PSA #3: "I don't vape because..."
Did you know most e-cigarettes contain nicotine? If teens are exposed to nicotine while the brain is still developing, they are more likely to develop an addiction. Learn more facts about vaping at PreventItAlexandria.org

Vaping PSA #4: "I don't vape because..."
E-cigarettes produce an aerosol that contains thousands of harmful chemicals. The user inhales this aerosol into their lungs. Learn more facts about vaping at PreventItAlexandria.org

Vaping PSA #5: "I don't vape because..."
Nicotine found in e-cigarrete causes harm to many organs in the body, including the brain, lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract and joints. Learn more facts about vaping at PreventItAlexandria.org