October 2, 2026
by Joshua Gray PDD
CEA Website Chair
The Drug Awareness Committee is holding its yearly Drug Awareness Program (DAP) workshop at the Wethersfield-Rocky Hill Lodge on Thursday, October 8th at 6 pm. Local lodge Drug Awareness Chairs and interested parties are welcome to attend to learn more about one of the signature programs of the Elks that benefits youth.
Each year the DAP runs a contest for children to produce a poster, essay, or video to promote drug awareness in their community aligned with a yearly theme. This year’s theme is “A Healthy Me is Drug Free.” Contest entries are due February 12th – full details and application materials are available at our state website. [click here]
But that’s not all! There are so many more programs that DAP offers. For example, in 2024, a police officer from Wethersfield-Rocky Hill Lodge won not only the state Enrique Camarena award, but also the national award. Lieutenant Jeffrey Foss-Rugan continues to be active and will come visit any lodge to talk about drug awareness and youth safety. Each lodge can nominate their own local lodge Enrique Camarena award and then submit their awardee for consideration for the state award.
Local lodges can also borrow the state’s Drug Awareness trailer for events involving youth. The trailer is full of great information and pamphlets for all of the Drug Awareness program. Many lodges choose to borrow the trailer for other events involving children, like Trunk or Treats and Child Safety days. To get the trailer, check out the calendar on the Drug Awareness page and make sure it isn’t booked. Then, contact Mary Smith and she will help coordinate getting the trailer. Your lodge can also borrow Elroy costumes through this program. Visit the state DAP page for more information.
If you’d like to learn more, come to the DAP program workshop. If you can’t make it, you can always contact one of the district chairs or the state chair for more information.