Since 1982, the Elks have developed an effective, community based drug-prevention program by partnering with the Drug Enforcement Agency, Office of National Drug Policy, and Mental Health Services Administration. Also national organizations like Pride Youth Programs. These partnerships ensure that the Elks Drug Awareness Program Addresses the leading drug abuse issues facing our communities today.

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      The mission statement of the program is to promote constructive and cooperative approaches to prevent the use of illicit substances by the youth of the United States of America. This will be accomplished though education of both students and parents, and by assisting scholastic institutions with programs and materials.

 

     Conduct conferences, workshops, and training seminars to promote an understanding of substance abuse. To provide a vision and practical skills needed to help prevent substance abuse. To develop, collect, and circulate resources on substance abuse, including curriculum, manuals, articles, and other materials.

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     We have a website for kids to go on, that is 100% sponsored and funded by the Elks. The site is www.elkskidszone.com. On this site are things to make it easier to discuss drug awareness. We have coloring books, handouts and even have teachers guide to help spread the word.

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     During the school year, we have a poster contest for children to compete. The contest is for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, and the winning poster moves on through different levels, until it reaches the national competition. The child's poster that wins, will be posted on the Kids Zone site, and may even distributed in our national coloring book. 

     Just like the poster contest, there is also an essay contest for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. This again starts as a local lodge contest and works it's way up to a national contest. The winners essay and may be featured on the Kids Zone site as well as Drug Awareness publications.

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     Along with the contests, lodges in the state of New Jersey have a Peer Leadership program for High School students, and a Pathway to Leadership program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. This program is to help develop children in our communities to become the leaders of tomorrow. All these programs are fully funded by the Elks and have no cost to any families. 

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     If you would like more information on how these programs work, or how to get them for your schools, please contact our Chairman Kevin Pent P.E.R. @ 609-744-1102

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     Click on the links below for some of our PSA's for children