Council On Substance Abuse-NCADD

02/05/2026

🎙Mind YA Business Teen Podcast — Live Premiere🎙

Join us for a live premiere and meet-and-greet with COSA’s teens as they officially launch Season 1 of their podcast, Mind YA Business!

This exciting event celebrates youth voice, creativity, and real conversations led by teens, for teens. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with the podcast hosts, learn about the inspiration behind the show, and be part of the kickoff for a brand-new season focused on topics that matter to young people today.

Whether you’re a supporter of youth leadership, a community partner, or just curious to hear what teens are saying, this is a launch you won’t want to miss.

🔗RSVP online - https://bit.ly/cosamindyabusiness

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 3:00–5:00 PM (CT)
Where: COSA's Teen Center

TOPIC: Healthy Habits - More Than Just a Smile

02/05/2026

🧡January was a powerful start to the year for our COSA Veterans Department 🧡

From community events to outreach and support services, our team has been showing up for veterans and their families across the counties we serve and this is only the beginning! Even greater things are on the horizon in 2026 as we continue expanding resources, partnerships, and opportunities for those who have served.

📅 Want to see what’s coming up near you?
Check out our upcoming events on the COSA calendar:
👉 https://cosancadd.org/events/

Thank you to our Veterans Department for the incredible work you do every day.

02/02/2026

📣Here is your chance to join the conversation and get your questions answered!

✅FREE Community Event - The Council on Substance Abuse presents "Talk it Out: Va**ng Laws & Mental Health" Forum. These events will be panel style forums for the community members to learn and ask questions about Alabama's new Va**ng law, other laws pertaining to youth, and substance misuse and mental health.

📆February 28, 2026
📍Wetumpka, AL
🔗Reserve your seat online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981854815102?aff=oddtdtcreator

📆March 7, 2026
📍Letohatchee, AL
🔗Reserve your seat online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981589794418?aff=oddtdtcreator

📆March 19, 2026
📍Selma, AL
🔗Reserve your seat online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981587285915?aff=oddtdtcreator

Check out upcoming COSA events in your area by visiting our online calendar: https://cosancadd.org/events/

01/28/2026

Join us for COSA’s Business Resource Fair, where local businesses, community partners, and service providers come together to tackle today’s workforce challenges—together.

At this event, you’ll:
✔️ Learn about the workforce shortage landscape in our region
✔️ Understand how substance misuse, addiction, and recovery impact the workplace
✔️ Explore substance misuse policies that support employee and family behavioral health

Since 1973, COSA has worked to reduce the impact of substance misuse and strengthen communities through prevention, recovery support, and education. This event is about sharing resources, building partnerships, and creating safer, more resilient work environments for everyone.

👉 Whether you’re an employer, service provider, or community organization, your role matters. Let’s collaborate to support well-being, productivity, and long-term workforce success.

(https://cosancadd.org/event/business-resource-fair/)

01/26/2026

HAPPENING TOMORROW!

FREE QPR Youth Su***de Prevention Training:
✅Participants must attend the entire course in order to receive certification. If you are attending a virtual training, please ensure that your video remains on at all times.

✅MUST register online to attend. Participants must attend the entire course in order to receive certification. Attending a virtual training, please ensure that your video remains on at all times.

❓Questions - Contact Isaac Pena at ipena@cosancadd.org or call (334) 262-1629.

🗓UPCOMING Trainings (https://cosancadd.org/events/):
Feb 18, 2026
March 24, 2026
April 21, 2026
May 13, 2026

REGISTER ONLINE:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/su***de-prevention-youth-qpr-gatekeeper-trainingfor-parents-teen-center-tickets-1977524807934?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/23/2026

COSA was proud to host the Youth Service Statewide Partner Forum in collaboration with Youth Service America (YSA). Partners from across the state came together to discuss the current landscape of youth service, share insights, and explore strategies to strengthen and expand youth participation in communities across Alabama.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important conversation. We appreciate our partners for their commitment to building a stronger future through service.

YOUTH VOICE MATTERS!

01/21/2026

📍 Montgomery, AL | COSA Office

Kimberly Hunter, Behavioral Health Prevention Program Manager, led an engaging presentation titled “Implementing an Annual ATOD Training Policy” for attendees at the COSA office. The training focused on equipping participants with practical tools and strategies to effectively implement ATOD policies when working with youth populations.

These conversations and trainings are critical to building safer, healthier environments for young people and the communities that support them.

**check out our story to see the training in action!

01/17/2026

“Shop Talk” Workshop for barbers, beauticians, nail technicians, and other professionals in the cosmetology field.

FREE training will include:
💈how to engage with clients and community members about mental health topics
💈how to handle co-occurring disorders and drug misuse
💈educational materials such as rack cards
💈well-informed guest speakers
💈opioid and NARCAN training

Guest Speaker – Adrian “The Barber Bishop”

LIMITED SEATING

**MUST register online to attend**
https://go.evvnt.com/3434253-0

01/16/2026

QPR Youth Su***de Prevention Training
FREE Training Session

AS A CERTIFIED QPR GATEKEEPER YOU WILL LEARN TO:
✅recognize the warning signs of su***de
✅know how to access local & national referral resources
✅know how to offer HOPE
✅know how to get help & save a life
✅increase awareness of stigma and understand su***de as public health issue

Register to attend🔽
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/su***de-prevention-youth-qpr-gatekeeper-trainingfor-parents-teen-center-tickets-1977524807934?aff=oddtdtcreator

Want more info?
Contact Isaac Pena at ipena@cosancadd.org or call (334) 262-1629

01/14/2026

Happening in Millbrook & Montgomery, AL!
🎖️ Veterans, Military Members & Families Are You Tapped In? 🎖️
Have you ever served in the Armed Forces? Let’s talk.
Join COSA for the Veterans, Military Members, and Families Information & Benefits Workshop, where you can connect one-on-one, ask questions, and learn more about available benefits and resources.
✔️ One-on-one Q&A available
✔️ Please bring: DD214, Certificate of Reference, and a valid ID

📞 For more information: 334-262-1629
📧 veteran@cosancadd.org

We’re here to support those who have served and their families.

01/09/2026

🚨 CALLING ALL COMMUNITY PARTNERS & YOUTH LEADERS 🚨

📣 Alabama youth deserve a stronger voice and it starts with YOU. Only 1 in 4 young people regularly participate in their communities. COSA is partnering with Youth Service America (YSA) to change that by shaping a New Era of Youth Service across Alabama.

📝 Take just 5 minutes to complete this survey and help guide strategies that expand youth leadership, service, and civic engagement leading up to America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026.

✔️ Complete the survey
✔️ Share this post with youth leaders and community partners
✔️ Help amplify youth voice statewide

🔗https://bit.ly/ysasurvey2026

A new era of youth service in America begins with the celebration of America's Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026. The next era of our democracy depends on all of us participating in our communities through volunteering & service, voting & civic engagement, and joining & leadership opportunities. He...