Community Council Against Substance Abuse

08/30/2026

🎉 Recovery Fest is a FREE community event!
Join us for a day of recovery, hope, connection, and community! Come out, enjoy the event, connect with local resources, and celebrate that recovery is possible! 💜
📅 September 12, 2026
⏰ 10 AM – 3 PM
📍 Tuscawilla Park
🎟️ FREE to attend!

08/28/2026

SPONSORS & VENDORS WANTED! 🎬🍿
The Red Ribbon Kickoff is BACK, and we’re looking for businesses, agencies, and community organizations to join the Marion County Children’s Alliance and CCASA for a FREE family night at the Ocala Drive-In!
📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
📍 Ocala Drive-In | 4850 S. Pine Ave., Ocala
⏰ Activities begin at 5:30 PM | Movies begin at dark
This is a great opportunity to connect with local families and youth, share your organization or resources, and show your support for Red Ribbon Week and healthy, drug-free choices.
⭐ Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are available!
Businesses, agencies, and organizations interested in participating as a sponsor or vendor/exhibitor MUST register and reserve their spot:
https://mcchildrensalliance.networkforgood.com/events/104509-2026-red-ribbon-kick-off-event
📢 PLEASE NOTE: Registration is ONLY for sponsors and vendors/exhibitors. Families attending the Red Ribbon Kickoff DO NOT need to register or purchase tickets. Admission, activities, and movies are completely FREE for the public!
The evening will include a First Responder Vehicle Expo, bounce houses, sno cones, community exhibitors, giveaways, interactive games, contests, and more — followed by movies under the stars! 🌟🎥
Red Ribbon Week events are proudly supported by the Marion County Hospital District.

08/26/2026

💨 Va**ng isn’t just harmless v***r.
Many vapes contain ni****ne and other chemicals that can impact the developing teen brain and lead to addiction. Knowing the facts can help parents and teens make informed, healthy choices.
Start the conversation early. The more our youth know, the better prepared they are to make healthy decisions when faced with peer pressure.
💙 We are so thankful to work with Community Coalition Alliance for the opportunity to use TheFactsYourFuture.org curriculum to provide our students with important prevention education and resources.
📱 Learn more about va**ng and find helpful resources to continue the conversation at home. TheFactsYourFuture.org
**ngPrevention

Va**ng is not safe. Va**ng can damage your looks and your lungs, and leave you dizzy, nervous, and nauseous.

08/24/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Commander Chris King with the Gainesville Police Department for joining us today as the featured presenter for our CCASA Quarterly Educational Workshop! 💙👏
Commander King provided an informative overview of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) program, including the types of crimes investigated and the trends law enforcement has seen both historically and today.
We are grateful for his time, expertise, and commitment to educating our community about the importance of protecting children in an ever-changing digital world. 🛡️💻
Thank you as well to all of our community partners and attendees who joined us today to learn and help keep our children safer!
💚 CCASA is a workgroup of the Marion County Children’s Alliance.

08/24/2026

🎉 Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are now open for the 9th Annual Ocala Recovery Festival!
Join us Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park as we celebrate recovery, remember those we have lost, and inspire our community to take action.
Organizations, agencies, and community partners are invited to participate as exhibitors or help make this free community event possible through sponsorship.
📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here to learn more and register: https://mcchildrensalliance.networkforgood.com/.../102536...

08/23/2026

Join CCASA for our next Quarterly Educational Workshop featuring Commander Chris King of the Gainesville Police Department.

Young people’s lives increasingly move between physical and digital spaces, and effective prevention requires a clear understanding of both. The same relationships, pressures, vulnerabilities, and protective factors that influence youth substance use and well-being are often present online as well.

Commander King will provide an informative presentation on Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), including the types of crimes investigated and what law enforcement has observed both historically and in today’s digital environment.

📅 Monday, August 24, 2026
🕦 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
📍 Mary Sue Rich Community Center
1821 NW 21st Avenue, Ocala
🥗 Free lunch provided

This free workshop is open to the community and is especially valuable for service providers, educators, law enforcement, first responders, healthcare professionals, parents, caregivers, and others who work with children and families.

Registration is appreciated but not required:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Aug2026EduWrkshop

Hosted by the Community Council Against Substance Abuse and the Marion County Children’s Alliance in partnership with the Marion County Hospital District.

08/21/2026

SAVE THE DATE: RED RIBBON KICKOFF IS BACK!

Join the Marion County Children's Alliance and CCASA for a FREE family night at the Ocala Drive-In as we kick off Red Ribbon Week!

Friday, October 23, 2026
Ocala Drive-In – 4850 S. Pine Ave., Ocala
Activities begin at 5:30 PM
Movies begin at dark

Before the movies start, join us for a family-friendly tailgate party featuring:

First Responder Vehicle Expo
Bounce houses
Sno cones
Community exhibitors, giveaways and swag
Interactive games
Giveaway contest
And more!
MOVIE LINEUP

SCREEN 1
Toy Story 5
Night at the Museum

SCREEN 2
A Goofy Movie
Back to the Future

And the best part?

Admission is FREE. Activities are FREE. Movies are FREE.

No tickets and no preregistration are required. Just bring the family and join us!

Come enjoy a fun night under the stars while helping Marion County celebrate healthy, drug-free choices and kick off Red Ribbon Week.

Businesses, agencies and community organizations: Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are also available. Learn more and reserve your spot here:

https://mcchildrensalliance.networkforgood.com/events/104509-2026-red-ribbon-kick-off-event

Red Ribbon Week events are proudly supported by the Marion County Hospital District.