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"I've Better Things to do Than Drugs!" This is the theme of this years two drug awareness contests. Both contests could win your child or grandchild a $500 savings bond.

 Both contests will be judged on closeness to theme, neatness, originality, and correct grammatical structure.

The Poster contest is open to grades 3, 4, and 5. Posters submitted must be no larger than 11 by 24 inches in size. Copyrighted characters are prohibited. Entries containing copyrighted material will be disqualified.

 The Essay contest is open to grades 6, 7, and 8. Participants must write their essay themselves. They may get help from teachers, parents, or friends in the form of ideas.

Length: No longer than 200 words. Paper size: 8½″ × 11″ Text: Hand written or hand printed. (No typed or computer generated text.)

 Each entry must have the following information on the back: Students Full Name, Address, Phone number, Age, School,Location, Grade, and Elks Lodge name.

Winners: Each lodge will select a winner in each grade, using the criteria listed above. The lodge will notify winners. Winning essays will be forwarded to State Competition. All winning entries become the sole property of the State Elks Association, and may not be returned. The State Drug Awareness Committe will choose one overall winner for each contest. The winning poster will be submitted for entry into the annual National Elks Coloring Book. National winners for both contests will receive a $500 savings bond.

Deadline: All entries must be submitted no later than April 15th.

Lodge winners will be announced at the following lodge meeting. State winners will chosen at state convention in May.

We are also in full swing with planning our State-wide drug awareness tour. With help from the Elks National Foundation, we have confirmed Nationally renouned drug awareness speaker Milton Creagh to come to our state and speak with our children. The tour will take place May 4-6. Schools already confirmed are Washington Co. Schools, LeFlore Co. Schools, West Jones High School, Oak Grove High School, and Forrest Co.AHS. We are also planning a parent meeting on one evening. You can check out Bigg Milt's drug awareness music video at www.elks.org/dap. Even more information can be found at www.biggmilt.com.

If you have any questions, would like to lend a hand with these projects, or need any drug awareness literature please contact me via email.

Remember the foundation and groundwork of our order. "To do unto others as we would they should do unto us." Thank you, Robert Cook, Jr. Rmcookjr@gmail.com Drug Awareness Chairman