Our programs

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.

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.

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 pledge “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” The Elks National Veterans Service Commission takes that pledge one step further, and promises service to our nation’s veterans and military members, with a special focus on service to those in need.

Thousands of Elks volunteers give generously of their time, energy and resources to serve veterans and military members each day, to ensure that pledge is not an idle one.

Today, our volunteers provide direct service to veterans in more than 330 facilities each month. Through our grants to Elks Lodges, we connect with veterans and military members in their communities, providing them with services where they live. We help veterans rehabilitate and thrive through adaptive sports programs and therapy kits. And our Welcome Home initiative is reaching out to some of our most vulnerable veterans: those who are experiencing homelessness.

Cadet Lawman Academy gives selected high school seniors-to-be a first hand taste of what it takes to be a Trooper with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol . The young men and women experience training in precision driving, traffic and boating law enforcement, firearm instruction, self-defense, and law enforcement history.

Cadet Lawman was started in Oklahoma in 1974 and co-sponsored by the Jaycees and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol – Safety Education Division.  The first year 39 young men attended Cadet Lawman at the Robert R. Lester Training Center in Oklahoma City.

In 1976 the Jaycees and the Oklahoma Elks Major Projects sponsored Cadet Lawman with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol – Safety Education Division.  Also in 1976, 3 girls attended the academy along with 44 boys.

The program moved, in 1977, to the former Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base in Burns Flat, Oklahoma and resided at this historical base for 41 years, through the 44th academy in 2017.  Western Technology Center in Burns Flat, Burns Flat – Dill City Schools, Elk City Elks Lodge, Quartz Mountain Fun Park, Foss Lake State Park, Burns Flat BFF’s, Retired Troopers, and many other people helped year after year.  

The week-long program is held annually the first full week of June. The week is spent with Troopers, Police Officers, Dispatchers, and other law enforcement and medical personnel.

Many who attended the Cadet Lawman Academy in their teens are found in today’s ranks of troopers.

The Academy is held the first full week in June, starting on Sunday and ending with graduation exercises on the following Saturday.

Applications can be printed from here starting in January, and mailed in.  The application deadline is April 1st. For an application, Click Here!