Substance Abuse Prevention & Educational Intervention
ACPS Substance Abuse (SA) Prevention and Intervention Services
The primary responsibility for helping students who are involved with substance abuse lies with students and their parents. Nevertheless, the Department of Student Services & Equity (DSSE) strives to implement a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) approach to providing a supportive school environment for students involved with substance use or abuse. As such, DSSE supports substance abuse prevention and early intervention programs that vary according to individual needs. Included among these are programs to educate students about the harmful effects of illegal drugs and alcohol; the misuse of drugs and other legal substances; programs for staff in the identification of substance abuse; and activities and programs for those who need help with intervention activities and programs. The department's substance abuse prevention and early intervention program may provide group experiences, individual counseling, and other programs. Additionally, referral of students and parents to community agencies for assistance, at the parent's expense, may also occur.
Information = Prevention! ACPS Spring 2023 Workshops on Substance Abuse Prevention
Do you know how to recognize if your child is using drugs or alcohol? Do you know where to look? Do you know what to look for? ACPS invites parents, guardians and caregivers to join the Department of Student Services & Equity and ACPSFamily and Community Engagement Center this spring to learn about:
- current drug trends
- the signs & symptoms of substance abuse
- available resources
This workshop is geared toward families of sixth-twelfth grade students. ACPS will offer this workshop three times in the spring. Identical information will be presented in each session. The workshop will be led by Fredy Martinez, ACPS K-12 Substance Abuse Services Coordinator, with support from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Program, the ACPS Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE), Office of Student Support Teams and Office of Safety and Security Services. Please select a date and sign up below through ParentSquare.
Wednesday, March 22
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Please sign-up to receive the Zoom link.
- This virtual session will be conducted in Spanish with English interpretation available.
- This session will also be livestreamed via Facebook. (link @ACPSenEspanol)
Thursday, March 30
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Francis C. Hammond Middle School - Cafeteria
4646 Seminary Road
- Pizza dinner served and limited onsite childcare offered with RSVP. Please sign-up.
- This session will be conducted in English with multilingual interpretation available onsite.
- This session will also be livestreamed via Facebook.
Wednesday, April 19
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Alexandria City High School, King Street Campus - Cafeteria
3330 King Street
Guiding Principles
The guiding practice principles of the substance abuse services at ACPS are:
ACPS provides Substance Abuse (SA) prevention and intervention services for grades K-12. This service is offered by the Department of Student Services & Equity using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) approach, and Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBIS) to deliver services to students involved with substance use or abuse-related problems. Services include:
Alcohol and illegal drug use and abuse are prohibited by the ACPS Student Code of Conduct in compliance with all applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.
- Privacy
- Safety
- Confidentiality
- Evidence-based practice
- Screenings
- Assessments
- Early Intervention
- Targeted Case Management
- Prevention Campaigns
Substance Abuse Counselors
Fredy L. Martinez, MS.Ed. CSAC
K-12 Substance Abuse Prevention & Intervention Services Coordinator
703-619-8278 x1237
fredy.martinez@acps.k12.va.us
Ruthy Mercado, LCSW, MAC, CSAC
K-12 Substance Abuse Prevention & Intervention Services
703-619-8495 x2912
ruthy.mercado@acps.k12.va.us