DRUG ABUSE IS TODAY'S GREATEST threat to America's youth. This abuse of drugs interferes with learning, alters personalities and injures health. Drug abuse destroys the potential of tomorrow's leaders before that potential can develop. Drug abuse must be vanquished.

In 1983, the Elks joined the battle with a vigorous program to increase awareness of the dangers of drug use through community education. The Elks program concentrates on marijuana, cocaine, alcohol and tobacco. The Elks are also concerned about the use of steroids, inhalants and LSD by young people.

The goal of our lodges the program is to foster prevention: to help youths decide not to use these drugs before they start by convincing them of the adverse mental and physical consequences of drug use. Accordingly, the Elks of Calvert Lodge 2620 are endeavoring to reach youths in elementary and junior high schools, particularly from fourth through ninth grades, with the message that drug use is dangerous. The program actively involves parents, teachers, community drug agencies, the Maryland State Police, Calvert County Sheriffs Department, Reality USA, the media and other concerned citizens.

Our program is designed to stop drug use before it starts. The attitudes and behavior of youths in the fourth through ninth grades can still be influenced. Our objective is to increase their awareness through education of the adverse consequences of drug use, so that they decide for themselves to avoid drugs.

These points should be kept in mind:

1. There is no such thing as a "soft" or 'hard" drug.

2. There is no such thing as "responsible" use of an illegal drug. You may see materials that recommend the policy of "use not abuse." Any use of an illegal drug is abuse!

3. Prevention/education is the key.

The Calvert Lodge 2620 Elks Drug Awareness Education Program has targeted four drugs of abuse: marijuana, cocaine, alcohol and tobacco. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug of abuse today, cocaine is highly addictive and dangerous, and alcohol is the most widely abused drug among teenagers. Tobacco, researchers say, will eventually take the lives of more young people than all other drugs combined.

You may obtain a number of booklets and information which will help you understand the problem by contacting the Calvert Elks Lodge No. 2620, Drug Awareness Chairman at 410-535-2417 or by writing to us at P.O. Box 1040, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. All you need do is give the address to where you wish the information sent. You may also request the information by email:  carlfvogt@earthlink.net

WORKING TOGETHER WE WILL ALL MAKE AMERICA DRUG FREE

Carl F. Vogt, PDDGER

SW District Drug Awareness Chairman