The City of Alexandria announced on April 7 a series of activities in recognition of National Alcohol Awareness Month and National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) and the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center (SAC) are leading efforts to raise awareness, provide resources, and encourage community participation throughout April.
The initiative aims to inform residents about the risks associated with youth alcohol use, legal consequences for providing alcohol to those under 21, substance use disorders, and the link between alcohol consumption and sexual violence. Organizers say their goal is to foster a safer environment by supporting survivors, promoting prevention strategies, and involving community members in educational events.
Scheduled activities include “Jeans for Justice” at Friends to Lovers Bookstore on April 19; a Red Ribbon Week poster contest reception at Del Pepper Community Resource Center on April 28; student artwork displays highlighting drug-free lifestyles; the annual Sexual Assault Survivor’s Poetry Share at the Lyceum on April 29; as well as SAPCA’s “I don’t drink because…” campaign featuring videos by Alexandria City High School students. Residents are encouraged to follow SAPCA’s newsletter or social media channels for ongoing updates.
SAC offers trauma-informed services for those affected by sexual violence. Support is available through its website or via the Alexandria Sexual Assault Hotline. SAPCA provides tools for parents and caregivers to discuss substance abuse prevention with youth. The Peer Advocates program involves local teens working alongside city campaigns focused on adolescent pregnancy prevention, domestic violence awareness, SAC, and SAPCA outreach efforts.
Alexandria provides services within its boundaries as an independent city according to the official website. The city operates under a council-manager government system where council members select a manager responsible for operations according to the official website. Racial and social equity are incorporated into policies aiming for fair outcomes across all communities per the official website.
Local museums such as the Alexandria Black History Museum help interpret social history while documenting African American heritage as noted on the official website. Archaeological research is supported through partnerships coordinated by the Alexandria Archaeological Commission according to the official website.
Organizers say that these combined efforts will help ensure young people in Alexandria have access to information needed for healthy decision-making now and in years ahead.
