City of Alexandria Recognizes National Alcohol Awareness Month and National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

For Immediate Release: April 7, 2026

Media Contacts: Emma Beall, SAPCA Coordinator, [email protected], 571.302.1022 and Debra Evans, Division Chief, Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program, [email protected]

In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) and the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center (SAC) are hosting a series of events and activities and encouraging residents to:

• Learn the facts and consequences of youth alcohol use, including the legal consequences of providing alcohol to people under 21
• Know that anyone can develop a substance use disorder - treatment is available and recovery is possible
• Focus on safety at youth and adult gatherings
• Learn the risks associated with alcohol use and sexual violence
• Know that alcohol and drug use is never an excuse to commit acts of sexual violence
• Support survivors and join community prevention efforts

SAPCA and SAC invite youth, parents and caregivers, and all community members to get involved with the following prevention efforts and awareness activities:

• Attend Jeans for Justice, an event hosted by the Peer Advocate program. Community members of all ages are invited to make a free denim bookmark and learn about resources on April 19 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Friends to Lovers Bookstore (301 Cameron St.)
• Join SAPCA for a reception to celebrate this year's Red Ribbon Week poster contest winners on April 28 from 6-7 p.m. at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.) Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by April 23. Following this reception, join SAPCA for a proclamation recognizing April as Alcohol Awareness Month at 7 p.m.
• Attend the annual Sexual Assault Survivor's Poetry Share on April 29 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)
• Check out SAPCA's "I don't drink because..." prevention campaign. Alexandria City High School students created these short videos to encourage youth to be alcohol free. The videos also reinforce and raise awareness of the social norm that the majority of youth in Alexandria do not drink alcohol, a trend to get behind.
• Visit the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.) lobby and fifth floor to view displays of student artwork promoting the benefits of a drug-free lifestyle. Displays feature the winning designs for the Red Ribbon Week poster contest.
• Sign up for SAPCA's e-newsletter, follow SAPCA on Facebook and X, and visit SAPCA's website to stay informed about events and ways to get involved in efforts to prevent youth substance use.
• Visit SAC's website to learn about resources available to survivors of sexual assault and their families and friends.
• Contact Volunteer Coordinator Abigail Gardner to learn about volunteer opportunities with SAC, including joining a committee focused on community education to reduce drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault.
• Follow Alexandria Teen Life on Instagram for inspiring messages and information on living a healthy life.

SAC is dedicated to cultivating a safe, healthy, and just community through advocacy, education, and prevention. SAC aims to foster a thriving community by providing trauma-informed services to all who are affected by sexual violence. Support is available for survivors and those supporting survivors. For more information, including Sexual Assault Awareness Month events and activities, visit alexandriava.gov/SexualViolence or call the Alexandria Sexual Assault Hotline anytime at 703.683.7273. In case of an emergency and for life-threatening situations, always call 911.

SAPCA provides tools and resources for residents to engage youth and initiate conversations about the dangers of alcohol and other substances, healthy decision making, avoiding risky behaviors, responding to peer pressure, resources for treatment and recovery and more. The City also provides a Resource Directory for Alexandria's Youth and Young Adults.

The Peer Advocates are a group of Alexandria youth who work closely with the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy, the Domestic Violence Program, SAC, and SAPCA to support prevention and outreach efforts.

Together, we can ensure that youth in Alexandria have the information and tools they need to make informed choices about their actions and health, so they can thrive today, tomorrow and in the future.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Emma Beall at [email protected] or 571.302.1022 or call Virginia Relay 711. If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available; please email [email protected] or call 703.746.3960.