[Archived] National Campaign Spearheads Local Efforts for ‘Kick Butts Day’

For Immediate Release: March 7, 2017

On Wednesday, March 15, youth around the country will mobilize to raise awareness about the problems of tobacco use in schools and the community through the annual Kick Butts Day.

More than 2,000 events are held nationwide. It is an annual day of activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, that empowers youth to take action against tobacco use.

“‘Kick Butts Day’ is an important campaign, and my hat is off to all those, especially our youth, who are involved in making this a successful annual event,” said Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg. “Together we are raising awareness about the effects of tobacco use. I know a number of adults who wish they had never started smoking while in high school, and they still find it addictive. This event is a step in the right direction.”

On Kick Butts Day, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA), in partnership with the Campagna Center’s Building Better Futures Program; TC Williams High School JROTC; Alexandria Police Department, Sheriff’s Office and the Alexandria Department of Recreation; and Parks and Cultural Activities, is joining the statewide effort to educate every tobacco retailer in Alexandria.

Mayor Silberberg will kick off the event on Wednesday, March 15 at 3:30 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. The event will be emceed by T.C. Williams Students.

Kick Butts Day will engage Alexandria youth in ensuring that tobacco vendors are training staff and checking photo IDs for every tobacco sale.

SAPCA is an alliance of parents, youth, schools, city health and recreation agencies, media, nonprofits, businesses, policymakers and law enforcement whose mission is to engage diverse sectors of the community in collaborative, cross-cultural and comprehensive substance abuse prevention efforts that result in a reduction of underage substance use and abuse in the City of Alexandria.

For more information about the Kick Butts Day event and the Break the Chain Campaign, visit www.preventitalexandria.org or contact Kim Hurley at 703.746.5459 or kim.hurley@alexandriava.gov.