Elks Lodge #2121 successfully completed another impactful three-day Drug Awareness Program tour during the first week of December, bringing vital vaping-prevention education to hundreds of students and school staff.
National prevention speaker Ray Lozano visited James Logan High School and Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School in Union City, and King Middle School in Hayward. Lozano’s evidence-based, nonjudgmental approach continues to resonate deeply with young audiences.
Across all sessions, students demonstrated a level of attentiveness that is both rare and encouraging—especially given the timing immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday.
Even when discussing challenging topics such as addiction, nicotine content and the risks of vaping, students expressed sincere gratitude for the way the information was presented. Many stayed afterward to ask questions, offer suggestions, share personal reflections and even collaborate on prevention messaging.
One student proudly contributed a slogan—“There’s no debate: do not vape”—which will be incorporated into future presentations.
School administrators and staff were equally engaged. Principals remained through full sessions, teachers took notes and a P.E. coach shared that this year’s presentation struck him differently now that he’s a new parent. He also reported that in previous years, students continued to recall the information months later and had even voluntarily turned in their vapes after the Elks’ program.
The tour reached both first-year host campuses and returning partner schools that specifically requested key information students remembered from prior visits.
This year once again demonstrated the necessity of the Elks Drug Awareness Program. Through this partnership, communities receive accurate information, schools gain trusted prevention support, and young people gain the tools they need to make healthier decisions.
Elks Lodge #2121 and the Drug Awareness Program look forward to continuing this important work in the coming year.
