elks drug awareness essay contest

2022-2023 Drug Awareness Essay, Poster & Video Contest

2022-23 theme

“Be Kind to Your Mind – Live Drug Free”

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Elks Drug Awareness   Essay   Contest

The contest is open to all 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students.  Participants must write their essay themselves , but they may get help from teachers, parents, or friends in the form of ideas.

• Length : No longer than 250 words.
• Paper size : 8½ × 11 inch.
• Text : Typed, computer generated text, hand written or hand printed.

Judging will be based on the following:

• Closeness to the theme
• Originality
• Correct grammatical structure

Each entry must have the following information on the back of the essay:

• Student’s full name
• School, location, grade
• Elks lodge name
• Must also be accompanied by Hold Harmless agreement

Due date:  Contact your  local Elks Lodge or  Elks State Association  for more details.

Winners : Your local Elks lodge will select the top essays, using the criteria listed above. The lodge will notify winners. Winning essays will be forwarded to District Competition. District winners will be forwarded to State Level Competition. All winning entries become the sole property of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and may not be returned.

National recognition : Each State Drug Awareness Chairman will choose one overall winner. This winning essay will be submitted for entry into the National contest and may be featured on the  www.elkskidszone.org  website and/or in ENF or DAP publications.

ENTRY AND PARENTAL RELEASE FORM

Elks Drug Awareness   Poster   Contest

The contest is open to all 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade students.

Poster paper : Ideally, posters should be submitted on 8½ x 11 inch paper. However, posters submitted on paper up to 11×24 inches in size will be accepted. Please contact your lodge for additional information, as some areas might have additional criteria.

Each entry must have the following information on the back of the poster:

Copyrighted characters are prohibited . Entries containing copyrighted material will be disqualified.

Winners : Each lodge will select a winner, using the criteria listed above. The lodge will notify winners. Winning posters will be forwarded to District Competition. District winners will be forwarded to State Level Competition. All winning entries become the sole property of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and may not be returned.

National recognition : Each State Drug Awareness Chairman will choose one overall winner. This winning poster will be submitted for entry into the annual National Elks contest and for inclusion in the Elks DAP Coloring Book. Winning Posters may also be featured on the  www.elkskidszone.org  website – online coloring book and/or in ENF or DAP publications.

Elks Drug Awareness Video Contest

The theme for the 2023-2024 contest is:   “Be Kind to Your Mind – Live Drug Free”

• The contest is open to two age groups:
• Pre-High School
• High School
• Participants: May be an individual or group
• Length: 2 to 5 minutes in length
• Format: Flash Drive or similar “mobile” media in readable format
• Age and Language appropriate
• Positive message
• Quality of video

Each entry must include the following information:

• Student or Group’s full name
• If minors an additional release form is required

Due date:   Please contact your   local Elks Lodge   or   Elks State Association   for more details.

Winners:   Your local Elks lodge will select the top videos, using the criteria listed above. The lodge will notify winners. Winning videos will be forwarded to District Competition. District winners will be forwarded to State Level Competition. All winning entries become the sole property of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and may not be returned.

National recognition:   Each State Drug Awareness Chairman will choose one overall winner. This winning video will be submitted for entry into the National contest and may be featured on the   www.elkskidszone.org   website and/or in ENF or DAP publications.

Drug Awareness Committee

The Connecticut Elks Association promotes activities to prevent children from using drugs.  This committee sponsors annual contests and provides learning materials to support its mission.  

Committee Members

• Mary Smith PER  – State Chairman
• Trish Newhouse – Central District
• Sheila Parizo – Coastal District
• John Espada PER – East District
• Chad Layton – Northwest District

Connecticut Elks Association 2023 Drug Awareness Video Contest Winner – One Pill Can Kill

Connecticut Elks Association 2023 Drug Awareness Video Contest Winner (pre-high) – One Pill Can Kill

Video Contest

Open to two groups:  grades 4-8 & high school.  Video applicants are required to include a parental release .

Essay Contest

Open to 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students.

Poster Contest

Open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.  

Informational Powerpoint

Helpful hints for applications.  

Resources for Local Lodges

To reserve either or both, email the State Chairman via the link below stating what the event is, when is the event, how long it will last, who the contact is and their phone number(s) and what is requested (Elroy, Elroy and Trailer or Trailer only). The state chairman will email confirmation of your request.

When transporting the trailer, please know that a proper towing vehicle must be used with electrical hook ups. The trailer should always be cleaned (organized and swept clean) after an event and ready for use by the next lodge (don’t expect someone else to clean up your mess!) An Elk must be available to stay in/with the trailer while in use – never leave the trailer unattended. The trailer is generally unavailable for use during the winter months so it can be maintained. When transferring the trailer from one lodge to another, there is a mandatory inspection checklist for both the pickup lodge and prior lodge to fill out.

Contact Mary Smith to make a reservation.

Reservation/availability calendar for Elroy and the Drug Awareness Trailer.  

Check below to see if Elroy or the Trailer is available for use.  Contact Mary Smith  for more details on reserving either one.  

About the Elks National Drug Awareness Program

The Elks National Drug Awareness Program strives to teach all children and parents about the dangers of illegal drug use and prevent the abuse of legalized and prescription drugs. As the largest volunteer drug awareness program in the United States, the program relies on state, district and Lodge volunteers to promote a drug-free lifestyle. By taking pride in America’s communities and youth, the program takes action against youth drug use through education and inspiration.

Since 1982, the Elks have developed an effective, community-based drug prevention program by partnering with federal agencies including the Drug Enforcement Agency, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and national organizations such as Pride Youth Programs. These partnerships ensure the Elks Drug Awareness Program addresses the leading drug abuse issues facing communities today.

Elks believe that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. With that in mind, the Elks Drug Awareness Program reaches out to youth of all ages and backgrounds. Through the 2,100 Lodges in communities across the country, Elks work to combat youth substance abuse. Elroy the Elk, the program’s mascot, reminds young kids that hugs are better than drugs, while older kids see the affects of alcohol consumption by wearing fatal vision goggles.

Every year, the Elks Drug Awareness Program hands out more than seven million pieces of anti-drug literature to parents, teachers and kids. The brochures are primarily distributed through the program’s 90 drug education trailers, which travel to community gatherings, such as fairs and sporting events. The Elks have also teamed with Marvel Comic Books to produce a book featuring Marvel superheroes and Elroy the Elk in a battle against underage drinking. Other educational materials offered by the program include prevention tools for parents, videos, coloring books, posters and public service announcements.

Inspiration

From a young age, the Drug Awareness Program asks kids to think about what it means to be drug free. Through the program’s annual essay and poster contests, kids can express their feelings on rejecting peer pressure. At events, including Red Ribbon Week ceremonies, Elks and their friends serve as role models who show kids that living drug free is the way to be.

Enrique Camarena Award

2024 enrique camarena award recipient.

by Peter Freiler | February 24, 2024 | Drug Awareness , In The News | 0 Comments

Rocky Hill PD Sergeant Jeffrey Foss-Rugan Named 2024 Enrique Camarena Award Recipient at the Connecticut Elks Association Charities Level and Grand Lodge Drug Awareness Commission Level.

Fentanyl Continues to be Top Killer

by Peter Freiler | October 25, 2023 | Drug Awareness , In The News , Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Fentanyl continues to be the top killer. Only 2mg, the tip of a pencil point, is deadly.

Nominate a Law Enforcement Officer for the Enrique Camarena Award for Drug Prevention by November 30th

by Peter Freiler | October 25, 2023 | Drug Awareness | 0 Comments

The Enrique Camarena Award recognizes law enforcement officers who are positive role models…

Elks Drug Awareness Videos

Illinois Elks Association

Iea drug awareness programs and contests, drug awareness essay contest.

To help promote Drug Awareness with the youth of Illinois and to formalize the Grand Lodge Drug Awareness Essay Contest in the state, the following are the rules, guideline, and timeframe for the Illinois Elks Associations Drug Awareness Essay Contest.

The theme for the 2017-2018 contest is: “What Heroes Do!”.

• Grand Lodge Drug Awareness Directors will establish a new theme each year.
• Only one submission will be accepted per Lodge, per District, per State.
• Only submissions from the State Chairman will be accepted by the Grand Lodge Drug Awareness Directors.
• Each winner must have a “Hold Harmless” waiver submitted with the essay .
• Each entry must be 250 words.
• Name – First and last
• School Name and Location
• Lodge name & number
• State Chairman’s Name submitting Essay

Guide Lines:

• The essay contest should be done in grades 6 through 8.
• Lodge winners should be honored at an appropriate Lodge function.
• District winners should be honored at an appropriate District function.
• State winner will be honored at the May IEA State meeting.

Time Frame:

• Winning Essays must be submitted to the State Chairman no later than December 15th

Drug Awareness Poster Contest

To help promote Drug Awareness with the youth of Illinois and to formalize the Grand Lodge Drug Awareness Poster Contest in the state, the following are the rules, guideline, and timeframe for the Illinois Elks Associations Drug Awareness Poster Contest.

The theme for the 2017-2018 contest is: “What Heroes Do!”

• Each winner must have a “Hold Harmless” waiver submitted with the poster.
• Poster submitted must be no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches in size.
•  Lodge name & number
• State Chairman’s Name submitting poster
• Do not use “DARE” or other trade marks on any poster.

Judging will be based on the following:

• Closeness to the theme
• Originality
• Correct grammatical structure
• Copyright characters are prohibited. They will be disqualified.
• The poster contest should be done during Red Ribbon Week.
• The poster contest should be done in grades 4 through 6.
• State winner will be honored at the January IEA State meeting.
• Winning posters must be submitted to the State Chairman no later than December 15th.

Drug Awareness Video Contest

To help promote Drug Awareness with the youth of Illinois and to formalize the Grand Lodge Drug Awareness Video Contest in the state, the following are the rules, guideline, and timeframe for the Illinois Elks Associations Drug Awareness Poster Contest.

The contest is open to three age groups:

• Pre-High School
• High School
• Post Graduate
• Participants: May be an individual or group
• Length: 2 to 5 minutes in length
• Format: Flash Drive or similar “mobile” media in readable format
• Age and Language appropriate
• Positive message
• Quality of video

Each entry must include the following information:

• Student or Group’s full name
• School, location, grade
• Elks lodge name
• Must also be accompanied by Hold Harmless agreement
• If minors an additional release form is required

Illinois Elks Association 1201 North Main Street Chatham, IL 62629 Phone : (217) 483-3020