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
- Jamie Sienna PDD – Central District
- William Weck PER – Coastal District
- Blythe Henry – East District
- Linda Galvin – Northwest District
The Enrique S. Camarena Award is given to individuals working in law enforcement who have made significant contributions to the field of drug prevention and education. For more information on the contest, see below.
Congratulations to Meriden Police Department Officer Andrew Tomer and his family (at right). Officer Tomer is the 2026-2027 Connecticut Enrique Camarena Officer. Tomer and his family were featured at a reception at the Meriden Elks Lodge in April, as well as the Connecticut Elks Annual Convention on May 29, 2026 in Trumbull, CT.
2026-2027 Drug Awareness Program Contest
Theme: “A Healthy Me is Drug Free”
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.
Note, every child shown in a video must receive parental consent.
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.
Community
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 and the Young Marines. These partnerships ensure the Elks Drug Awareness Program addresses the leading drug abuse issues facing communities today.
Youth
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.
Education
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.
Elks Drug Awareness Videos
News
Our 2024 National Enrique Camarena Award Winner Promoted to Lieutenant
Lieutenant Jeffrey Foss-Rugan, a member of the Wethersfield/Rocky Hill Lodge No. 2308, has been promoted to Lieutenant. He was both the Connecticut DAP and Grand Lodge DAP Enrique Camarena receipient in 2024.
September 8, 2026. Since earning the Camarena Award in 2024, Lt. Jeff has visited many lodges and other venues throughout the state speaking about addiction as a disease. Events have included school assemblies and evening programs for adults. He has also served as a featured speaker at the 2025 Elks Mid-Year Convention held at the Waterbury Elks, No. 265.
Lieutenent Jeff will visit any Drug Awareness Program at Elks lodges throughout the state to speak about addiction, espeically to drugs, rehabilitation, and the consequences of becoming trapped in a hopeless cycle of drug addiction. He also speaks about the importance of having NARCAN available to reverse opiate overdose.
Resources for Local Lodges
Currently four Elroys are available throughout the state for Lodge events along with one CT Elks Association trailer. Consult the CT DAP calendar to see if the trailer or Elroys are available for your dates. Including one Elroy permanently assigned to the trailer, there are three other Elroy costumes in circulation.
To reserve either the trailer with Elroy, or just an Elroy, contact the State Chair Mary at with your needs and a contact person. Mary will get your request on the calendar and confirm your reservation.
When transporting the trailer, please know that a proper towing vehicle with the correct electrical must be used. CT DAP Chair Mary must also have a copy of the declarations page from the towing vehicle insurance on file. 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 when it is out of service for annual maintenance. When transferring the trailer from one lodge to another, there is a mandatory inspection checklist on the box on the wall for both the pickup lodge and prior lodge to fill out.
Reservation/availability calendar for Elroy and the Drug Awareness Trailer.
Check below to see if Elroy or the Trailer is available for use, first come, first served. Contact Mary Smith for more details on reserving either one.
