History
During the past year, CCASA was involved in the development of successful applications that resulted in the receipt of $1,225,000 in Federal and State grant funding for drug prevention programs throughout Marion County. The seventeen year grant total of direct funding attributed to CCASA exceeds $17,000,000.
During 2007, CCASA achieved or exceeded all expectations. Goals set by the Council included strategies addressing: Drug-Free Workplace, schools, neighborhoods, family, law enforcement, courts, corrections, public awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery programs.
The number of people touched this year by the programs conducted through this countywide effort is estimated to be in excess of 125,000. The council also distributed over 154,000 pieces of drug-prevention literature and material to children, parents, students, teachers, the business community and other residents.
Progress is being made, but there is a long way to go.There is no simple, single solution. Everyone agrees that alcohol and other drug use is a critical problem in today’s society. The community, school, family and friends need to accept responsibility and deal with the problem in order to establish a social system with healthy norms to serve as an example for the children and the future. One organization or program alone can not meet all the needs of a community that is growing and changing as rapidly as Ocala and Marion County.