Drug Awareness Program
The Elks Drug Awareness Education Program is the largest private program of its kind in the nation! It was launched to warn primary grade students and their parents of the dangers of drug abuse. Over 4 million pieces of free “drug awareness” literature are distributed each year. One of the newest programs provides teachers and students in grade 4 through 8 with “Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four” drug awareness comic books and lesson plans entitled “Hard Choices.” The material has also been made available on line via www.elks.org. This has been accomplished in partnership with MARVEL Comics.
The ELKS Drug Awareness Program and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have partnered with SMOSH, a widely popular digital comedy youth-targeted site for a powerful & emotionally driven campaign to bring awareness to the long-term effects of drugs through the organization’s very first digital and social anti-drug campaign. You can view it below.
Look in the community and you’ will find Elks distributing material from our trailer with Elroy the Elk.
The DEA announced the launch of the all new GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, the website for parents, educators, and caregivers. Originally launched in 2008, the website has updated drug information, resources and is totally redesigned for easier navigation. To learn about marijuana use and drugged driving; how to identify drug paraphernalia; why spice/K2 is a serious drug trend; how your school can be involved in Red Ribbon Week and more, please visit the website at www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com.
Hoop Shoot
A Free Throw Program for Youth Ages 8-13
The Hoop Shoot is free to all participants and provides youth an opportunity to compete, connect and succeed.
As the 2021-22 season gets underway, the pandemic continues to impact communities across the country. Hoop Shoot Directors at all levels are required to follow local, state and federal health mandates for contests. As we are able to find suitable facilities to conduct the local competition, our Lodge will participate in the program again in the December time-frame. The competition will be publicized in the local schools.
The Elks goal with this program is to provide a character-building, competitive program for all girls and boys regardless of their previous athletic competition or abilities.
The Florida State Championship competition takes place at the beautiful Florida Elks Youth Camp Gym (pictured here) located at Umatilla, FL 32784 on Saturday, February 19th, 2022.
From the millions of youngsters who participate and advance through the local, district, state and regional competition, six national champions are named – one boy and one girl in each of the three categories: ages 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13. The winners each receive a trophy and their names are inscribed on a plaque at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Through the Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program, the Elks National Foundation (ENF) offers youth the opportunity to engage in healthy competition, connect with their families and community, and succeed both on and off the court. For more information on this program visit the Hoops Shoot page at elks.org.
