The Elks Drug Awareness Program serves to support public awareness, protect our future by educating our youth and their parents, and ultimately create a society where substance abuse is non-existent.

We are aware that it is a long-term vision, but we know that it is one worth pursuing.  And, much like the story of the young child walking along the beach throwing starfish back into the sea…when told that he couldn’t possibly hope to save everyone, he replied, “but at least I saved this one,” we do it for the ones we can help.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teachers:

About 570,000 people die annually in the U.S. due to drug use. That breaks down to more than 480,000 deaths related to tobacco, about 31,000 due to alcohol, nearly 22,000 due to overdose from illicit (illegal) drugs, and close to 23,000 due to overdose from prescription pain relievers.

From the CDC we know that from 1999-2016, more than 350,000 people died from an overdose involving any opioid, including prescription and illicit opioids. As of 2017, approximately one American dies every 12 minutes from an opioid overdose.

So how are we helping?

Statistically, we know that the first attempt by youth to use drugs and alcohol is tied into wanting to belong, to be part of the in-crowd or to escape from problems as may be experienced at home or school.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks are totally committed to giving parents and children factual information both about the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of legalized drugs.

We want the children to realize that there are many ways to be a hero and that they do not have to wait until they are an adult to be one.

  • With gratitude to Marvel Comics, we even have a Comic Book pdf available. This is the latest version and you can click on the image below to enjoy the online comic book What Heroes Do 

  • In another arena, Ray Lozano recently gave a TedTalk on 3.5 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Kids Stay Drug-Free and it was featured on the CHEA site. One of his key points is “You must educate yourself on all of the various kinds of drugs your child might be exposed to, as well as the effects they may have on somebody who’s using.“To read the full article click on the link but in the meantime, you can watch the talk here:

Working with the Elks, Ray is available to speak at the various lodge and community events pending his schedule.

  • And still, the Kids Zone provides many resources including a Poster Contest, an Essay Contest, Big Milt’s Life Lessons and so much more…

  • One other video we are proud to share is from SmoshPit’s YouTube Channel and in their words “Thanks to the Elks DAP & DEA for sponsoring this very important episode”

With comments like this, we are sure that everyone can relate to what is happening!

“Wow. Idk if it’s just me, but something about Damien’s makeup got to me the most. He looked awful and the side by side made him look 20+ years older. Wow. All of them, it made me so heart broken”

 

Throughout the year Mojave Elks looks to partner with the schools, local law enforcement, and businesses to ensure the safety and future of our youth. If you are interested in helping us with this endeavor please contact us today.