History of the Elks DAP

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has been at the forefront of addressing national needs, from wartime care to drug education, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to community betterment and youth empowerment for decades.

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Introduction

In the 1980s, America found itself grappling with an ever-increasing illicit drug epidemic. That's when the Elks stepped in with the Drug Awareness Program (DAP), reaching hundreds of millions of youth, parents, educators, and community members. The program was first led by a retired Navy veteran and Elk member from Ashland, Oregon. The success of the DAP in its early years was gauged by the amount of educational material it distributed. Even today, we continue to provide these lifesaving resources free of charge.

Expanding Reach

By the end of the 1980s, the Elks DAP had already reached over 1.54 million youths. In the last two years alone, our educational videos and outreach programs have reached over 27 million viewers. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 marked the Elks' participation in a White House Conference for a Drug-Free America. President Reagan even acknowledged the DAP's important work in his welcoming speech at the 1988 Grand Lodge Convention.

New Alliances

With changing times came new leadership. Director Kent Gade formed new alliances with nationally recognized organizations and government departments, turning the Elks into a leading voice in drug education policy and action.

The New Millennium: Evolving the Program

As we entered the new millennium, the Elks DAP continued to evolve, introducing essay and poster contests and later adding a video contest. We also developed partnerships with various organizations and experts in the field of drug education.

Utilizing Technology

Understanding the need to reach youth through modern platforms, the Elks DAP expanded its online presence. We worked with MARVEL Entertainment to develop educational comic books and even secured free advertising space on ABC’s marquee in Times Square.

Collaboration with the DEA

We have fostered a strong relationship with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), becoming an integral part of their bi-annual Drug Take-Back programs and other community-based initiatives. Our partnership with the DEA has also resulted in several award-winning videos.

Speaker Programs

In addition to traditional material, we have developed a speaking tour featuring the nation’s top speaker, Ray Lozano, from Prevention Plus. When COVID-19 shut down in-person events, our speakers transitioned to webinars to continue delivering our message.

Conclusion

Our work is far from over, but thanks to our dedicated members and partners, we continue to make progress in educating the nation about the dangers of drug abuse. We look forward to what the future holds and are committed to meeting the challenges that lie ahead.