South Dakota Elks Drug Awareness Program

04/19/2026

https://youtu.be/fOas8ozN7cU?si=JwrWdjc8VPIqRpdy

10/29/2024

Thank you to the Scotland youth center for learning to be drug free.

10/19/2024

It is the start of RED RIBBON WEEK.

"THROW AWAY DRUGS, NOT YOUR FUTURE"

ESSAY CONTEST, POSTER CONTEST, VIDEO CONTEST
CONTACT Allison Spak FOR MORE INFORMATION.

10/19/2024

Red Ribbon Week
The Red Ribbon History
Click to Download Red Ribbon Week Card in PDF format
Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was born on July 26, 1947 in Mexicali, Mexico. He graduated from Calexico High School in Calexico, Calif., in 1966. After graduation he joined the U.S. Marines where he served for two years. After his military service, Kiki joined the Calexico Police Department and later moved to the El Centro Police Department. In 1974, he became part of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Seven years later he was assigned to the resident office in Guadalajara. He worked out of this office for four and a half years and was close to exposing a major drug trafficking operation. On February 7, 1985 Kiki was kidnapped. That was the last time he was seen alive. He was 37 years of age.

Shortly after Kiki’s death, U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter; his wife Lynne Hunter; Calexico High School classmate, Henry Lozano; and Calexico City Councilman and educator, David Dillon launched the Calexico High School Kiki Camarena Club in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, Calif. On April 20, 1985 over one hundred Kiki Camarena Club members pledged to lead drug free lives.

Interest from school districts in other cities in California’s Imperial Valley afforded Henry Lozano, then-Executive Director of Imperial Valley Teen Challenge, to create Kiki Camarena Clubs in Holtville, Brawley, and El Centro, California with the support of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.

In 1986, Henry Lozano, as a member of the Board of Directors of Californians for Drug-Free Youth, Inc., created a statewide coalition comprised of the Elks, Lions, Rotary, California Narcotics Officers Association, California Drug Enforcement Administration and drug prevention parent groups who worked together to establish the first statewide Red Ribbon Week celebration in October.

In 1988, the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth championed the first national Red Ribbon Week campaign with Honorary Chairman President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. That same year, congress officially established Red Ribbon Week.

Now, at the end of every October, millions of Americans dawn red ribbons in memory of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

The Elks are proud to be a part of such an important tradition.

10/19/2024

Get those ideas and cameras rolling.

Please share with students Pre-high school, High Schools
December 31 Deadline:

Elks Drug Awareness Video Contest
The theme for the 2024-2025 contest is: "Throw Away Drugs - Not Your Future"

Rules
The contest is open to two age groups:
Pre-High School
High School
Participants: May be an individual or group
Length: 2 to 5 minutes in length
Format: Flash Drive or similar "mobile" media in readable format
Judging will be based on the following:
Closeness to the theme
Neatness
Originality
Age and Language appropriate
Positive message
Quality of video

Each entry must include the following information:
Student or Group's full name
School, location, grade
Yankton Elks Lodge #994
Must also be accompanied by Hold Harmless agreement
If minors an additional release form is required
Due date: Please contact your local Elks Lodge or Elks State Association for more details.

Winners: Your local Elks lodge will select the top videos, using the criteria listed above. The lodge will notify winners. Winning videos will be forwarded to District Competition. District winners will be forwarded to State Level Competition. All winning entries become the sole property of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and may not be returned.

National recognition: Each State Drug Awareness Chairman will choose one overall winner. This winning video will be submitted for entry into the National contest and may be featured on the www.elkskidszone.org website and/or in ENF or DAP publications.

10/19/2024

Please share with Parents of 3rd through 5th grade:
Deadline December 1. 2024

Elks Drug Awareness Poster Contest
The theme for the 2024-2025 contest is: "Throw Away Drugs - Not Your Future"

Rules
The contest is open to all 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade students.

Poster paper: Ideally, posters should be submitted on 81/2 x 11 inch paper. However, posters submitted on paper up to 11x24 inches in size will be accepted. Please contact your local Elks Lodge for additional information, as some areas might have additional criteria.

Judging will be based on the following:
Closeness to the theme
Neatness
Originality
Correct grammatical structure
Each entry must have the following information on the back of the poster:
Student's full name
School, location, grade
Yankton Elks Lodge
Must also be accompanied by Hold Harmless agreement
Copyrighted characters are prohibited. Entries containing copyrighted material will be disqualified. Due date: Please contact your local Elks Lodge or Elks State Association for more details.

Winners: Each lodge will select a winner, using the criteria listed above. The lodge will notify winners. Winning posters will be forwarded to District Competition. District winners will be forwarded to State Level Competition. All winning entries become the sole property of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and may not be returned.

National recognition: Each State Drug Awareness Chairman will choose one overall winner. This winning poster will be submitted for entry into the annual National Elks contest and for inclusion in the Elks DAP Coloring Book. Winning Posters may also be featured on the elkskidszone.org website - online coloring book and/or in ENF or DAP publications.

10/19/2024

Please share to Parents any 6th grade to 8th grade.

Elks Drug Awareness Essay Contest
The theme for the 2024-2025 contest is: "Throw Away Drugs - Not Your Future"

Rules
The contest is open to all 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students. Participants must write their essay themselves, but they may get help from teachers, parents, or friends in the form of ideas.

Length: No longer than 250 words.
Paper size: 8 1/2 x 11 inch.
Text: Typed, computer generated text, hand written or hand printed.
Judging will be based on the following:
Closeness to the theme
Neatness
Originality
Correct grammatical structure
Each entry must have the following information on the back of the essay:
Student's full name
School, location, grade
Yankton Elks Lodge #994
Must also be accompanied by Hold Harmless agreement
Due date: December 1, 2024
Attn: Allison Spak
Questions contact Allison Spak DM me.

Winners: Your local Elks lodge will select the top essays, using the criteria listed above. The lodge will notify winners. Winning essays will be forwarded to District Competition. District winners will be forwarded to State Level Competition. All winning entries become the sole property of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and may not be returned.

National recognition: Each State Drug Awareness Chairman will choose one overall winner. This winning essay will be submitted for entry into the National contest and may be featured on the www.elkskidszone.org website and/or in ENF or DAP publications.

10/19/2024

Understanding Fentanyl: A Guide for Parents on the Dangers of This Potent Drug

This article serves as a crucial guide for parents, providing essential information on the dangers of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more potent than he**in. It explains how fentanyl is used and misused, outlines its risks, including the high potential for overdose, and offers signs to watch for in detecting fentanyl overdose. The guide also offers practical advice for parents on how to educate and communicate with their children about drug safety and prepare for emergency situations, aiming to empower parents to protect their children from this lethal substance.

In recent years, the rise of fentanyl use and its associated dangers have become a pressing concern for communities worldwide. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is significantly more potent than he**in and is contributing to a surge in overdose deaths. As parents, understanding the risks and implications of fentanyl exposure is crucial in safeguarding our children.

What is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. Originally developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, it is legally manufactured and prescribed in the form of patches or lozenges. However, its powerful opioid properties have made it a target for abuse.

How is Fentanyl Used and Misused? Fentanyl is often sold illegally as a powder, dropped onto blotter paper, put in eye droppers and nasal sprays, or made into pills that mimic other prescription opioids. Many users are unaware that fentanyl has been added to other substances, such as he**in, co***ne, methamphetamine, and M**A. This increases the risk of overdose due to its potent nature and the inability of users to gauge its concentration.

Dangers of Fentanyl

Overdose Risk: Due to its high potency, even a small amount of fentanyl (2 milligrams) can be deadly. Its ability to depress the respiratory system can lead to fatal breathing cessation.
Lack of Awareness: Many individuals who use drugs are not aware that fentanyl has been laced into other substances, making accidental overdoses more likely.
Rapid Onset: Fentanyl acts very quickly, leaving little time for intervention before a potentially fatal overdose occurs.
Signs of Fentanyl Overdose Recognizing the signs of a fentanyl overdose can be lifesaving:

Pinpoint pupils
Loss of consciousness
Slowed, stopped breathing
Choking sounds
Limp body
Cold and clammy skin
Blue colored lips and nails
What Can Parents Do?

Education: Educate yourself and your children about the dangers of drug use, especially the risks associated with fentanyl.
Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with your children. Discuss the realities and dangers of drug experimentation.
Monitoring: Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior or habits and stay engaged in their daily lives.
Emergency Preparedness: Know how to respond to a potential overdose. Having naloxone (a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose) accessible can be a critical tool in preventing fatal outcomes. You can now buy these at Walgreens, CVS or a local pharmacy for about $85 without insurance.
The threat posed by fentanyl is severe and growing. As parents, being informed and proactive can make a significant difference in protecting our children from this deadly drug. By fostering awareness, communication, and preparedness, we can help keep our children safe from the reach of opioids like fentanyl.

09/06/2024

https://youtu.be/qaKql7i6Rxo?si=M7M0l6rLF9mVBK0S

Mother, Cheyene Helms of Richmond, Kentucky, shares her story of losing her 4-year-year-old daughter, Brighton Hendron, to illicit fentanyl in this documenta...

09/06/2024

Never take a pill that hasn't been prescribed by a licensed medical provider and dispensed by a trusted pharmacy. Unprescribed medications can pose serious health risks, including dangerous interactions, adverse reactions, and incorrect dosages. Always consult with a licensed healthcare professional to ensure your safety.

Want to learn more about the dangers of unprescribed medication? Tune in to Season 4, Episode 1 "One Pill Can Kill." 🎧 Click the link in our bio to listen now!

09/06/2024

Setting boundaries is a vital part of being a loving and supportive parent. It’s not about control; it’s about care and understanding.

Want to learn more about spotting the signs of substance use? Tune in to Season 4, Episode 5 of our podcast, ‘Eyes Wide Open: Spotting The Signs Of Substance Use.’ 🎧 [Link in bio]