Anthony Gause
Drug Awareness Committee Director
Augusta #964
Drug Awareness Committee
Programs & Info
Drug Awareness Committee News
Maine Elks celebrate Red Ribbon Week
This week, Maine Elks across the state will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week. This year, Red Ribbon week will run from October 23rd to October 31st. MEA Drug Awareness Director Anthony Gause encourages all 20 Elk Lodges in Maine to reach out into their communities to help parents and their children aware of the danger of drugs. Informative pamphlets provided by funding from the Elks National Foundation are readily available to inform parents about a number of drugs that are currently on Maine streets now.
7 year-old wins P.I. Fishing Derby
After catching the longest trout of the day, at 13.2 inches, seven year-old Benjamin Shackette was the winner of the “Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs” Youth Fishing Derby held on June 3, 2023, at Mantle Lake Park in Presque Isle. The young, successful angler shows off...
Red Ribbon Week Held This Week
This week, Elk Lodges all across the country are dawning red ribbons in memory of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena to remind the public of the dangers of drug abuse. The Maine Elks Association is proud to participate in this program.
National Drug Awareness Video Contest Winner
Drug Awareness Committee
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.
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. 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
MAINE ELKS DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM
The Maine Elks Drug Awareness program utilizes the resources of the national Elks Drug Awareness Program to help educate students, parents, and teachers about the dangers of drug abuse.
The Association has many tools that it uses in the program to promote the awareness of these dangers. These include:
- Two Drug Awareness Trailers loaded with drug awareness information in the form of flyers, pamphlets, and school supplies that help spread the message.
- Four Drug Identification Kits
- Two “Fatal Vision” Goggles
- Elroy the Elk Mascot
In addition, the Committee conducts four Drug Awareness Contests within the State of Maine. These are:
- Coloring Contest
- Poster Contest
- Essay Contest
- Video Contest
Information on these contests can be found by clicking on the button at the top-left of this page.
The Maine Elks Drug Awareness Committee is committed to assisting Local Elk Lodges to promote Drug Awareness in their communities by providing the tools they can use to make a difference.
The Elks Drug Awareness Program’s website has an abundance of information, as well as activities and resources for students, parents, and teachers. You can check them out by clicking on the button below.
