[Archived] Alexandria’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition to Hold Open Meeting February 11

Alexandria’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition to Hold Open Meeting February 11
Meeting to include highlights from 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria will hold an open meeting on Monday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Minnie Howard Ninth Grade Center Library, 3801 W. Braddock Rd.  The meeting agenda will include highlights from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the first survey of its kind administered to Alexandria youth in grades 7 through 12.  The survey revealed significant new information about the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants and marijuana by the City’s youth.  The meeting will also include updates on the Coalition’s activities during its first year and a discussion of its strategic planning and community assessment process.

The meeting is open to parents, students, and business representatives; members of the faith community; the media; and all City residents who are concerned about underage use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and would like to know more about and become involved with the Coalition’s efforts. 

The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria’s mission is to engage diverse sectors of the community in comprehensive substance abuse prevention activities that result in a reduction of underage substance use and abuse in the City of Alexandria. The Coalition developed from the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria.  The Partnership was formed in 2006 in response to results from Alexandria’s 2004 Community Health Assessment, which identified substance abuse as one of the top priorities for action in Alexandria. Recent youth surveys confirm the use and abuse of illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco among City middle and high school students. The Coalition recognizes that substance abuse prevention must be addressed comprehensively, through multiple strategies, across multiple sectors—public, private and faith-based communities. The Coalition’s membership includes a broad base of representatives from these sectors. The Coalition is a member of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.  For more information, please contact Cate Alexander Brennan at 703.837.0609 or e-mail Cbalexander3@comcast.net.