DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM (DAP)
Striving to teach all children & parents about the dangers of illegal drug use.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks welcomes you to the resource center for the Elks National Drug Awareness Program – the largest volunteer drug awareness program in the United States. We are very proud of our dedicated army of volunteers who freely give their time and talents to this most noble cause. The Elks are committed to eliminating the use and abuse of illegal drugs by all members of society and believe that in order to ensure a bright future for our country, it is essential that our children be raised in a drug-free environment.
Promote the Drug Awareness Program Through Your Lodge!
The Elks Drug Awareness Program’s Trailer is available to all Massachusetts Lodges! Utilizing the DAP Trailer at your on-site or off-site Lodge event is a GREAT WAY to promote the great works of the Elks Drug Awareness Program within your Community! For a small rental fee, the trailer will be delivered to your Lodge full of informative handouts that outline the dangers of illegal drug use, and not to mention, full of a bunch of cool DAP swag as well! The kids love it when they see the trailer, and their parents are appreciative of the Elks’ passion to help keep the kids safe! Reserve this trailer TODAY!
Interested in using the Drug Awareness Program Trailer? Click the button below to download the DAP Trailer Contract!
ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TARGETING YOUTH
ELKS Drug Awareness Program and the DEA partners with SMOSH, a widely popular digital comedy youth-targeted site for apowerful & 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.
Massachusetts-Specific Drug Awareness Efforts
1. Drug Awareness Program (DAP) Trailer – MA Elks Statewide
The Massachusetts Elks Association offers a Drug Awareness Program (DAP) trailer that local lodges can rent and use at community events—both on-site and off-site. The trailer is stocked with educational handouts, branded materials (“DAP swag”), and tools designed to engage kids and parents in discussions about the dangers of illegal drug use.
This makes for a powerful, interactive centerpiece at fairs, school events, and lodge open houses—right in the heart of where families gather.
2. Woburn/Stoneham Elks Lodge (#908) & DEA Educational Foundation Collaboration
In May 2023, Woburn Memorial High School’s “Survive the Drive” LEARN Club hosted a drug misuse prevention presentation in partnership with the DEA Educational Foundation and the Woburn/Stoneham Elks Lodge #908. The Elks helped bring in an expert speaker—Brian O’Keefe—an outreach specialist from the DEA, who shared compelling, real-world insights on topics such as:
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Opioid trends (including fentanyl and counterfeit drugs)
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Effects of drug use on developing brains
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Marketing tactics targeting youth
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Safe driving practices and the overlap of substance abuse and impaired driving
The Lodge additionally donated $1,000 to support the LEARN club’s outreach efforts, such as decals, lanyards, and t-shirts.
3. Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee: Narcan & Opioid Education
At a senior center presentation in Saugus, the Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee organized a community session focused on overdose prevention and Narcan (naloxone) usage, featuring:
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Personal recovery stories from Everett Fire Department’s Addiction Recovery Resource Specialist
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Demonstrations of Narcan’s administration (Peel, Place, Press)
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Emphasis on harm reduction, stigma reduction, and the importance of outreach to youth and families
One speaker noted a hopeful trend: “Some of the fentanyl deaths are actually going down… one of the reasons is the reverse effects on opioids.”
Broader Elks National Drug Awareness Initiatives Applied in Massachusetts
These nationally coordinated programs empower MA lodges to engage youth and communities through diverse, creative approaches:
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Educational Materials & Outreach
The Elks distribute millions of anti-drug brochures annually, primarily via the mobile DAP trailers at community gatherings.
Other tools include coloring books, posters, videos, PSA spots, and a Marvel Comics-themed anti-underage-drinking comic featuring “Elroy the Elk.” -
Annual Youth Contests
Lodges encourage youth to participate in essay, poster, and video contests with anti-drug themes.-
Poster Contest: Grades 3–5
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Essay Contest: Grades 6–8
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Video Contest: Pre-high school and high school levels (2–5 minute entries)
These contests not only educate but also let youth creatively express their dedication to living drug-free. Winning submissions receive recognition, prizes (like Amazon gift cards), and visibility in Elks community publications and platforms.
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Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
Elks provide free 30-second PSAs covering topics like meth, teen smoking, binge drinking, drugs and the workplace, etc., ready for airing on local media.
Summary: Massachusetts Elks’ Drug Awareness Initiatives
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| DAP Trailer | Mobile educational hub for community and youth events with swag and brochures |
| High School Presentations | Partnered with DEA to deliver drug misuse and impaired driving awareness to students |
| Narcan & Harm Reduction Sessions | Opioid overdose awareness, Narcan training, stigma/harm reduction in community settings |
| Educational Materials | Distribution of brochures, coloring books, comics, videos, posters via national DAP resources |
| Youth Contests | Essay, poster, and video contests to foster creative engagement with anti-drug messaging |
| Media Outreach | Broadcast-ready PSAs to support drug awareness through local radio/TV |
These efforts reflect a multi-faceted, youth-centered, and community-based approach. From interactive trailers and engaging presentations to creative contests and harm-reduction talks, Massachusetts Elks Lodges leverage both grassroots action and national resources to champion drug awareness.
Drug Awareness Program Events Around Massachusetts
If your Massachusetts Lodge hosted an event that promoted the Drug Awareness Program, please send us pictures to add to this gallery! Email your pictures to: Chris@PoolsandCues.com
