Educating Communities Through
Awareness-Acknowledgement-Action
A Shared Responsibility...
During the past 40 years, I have been involved in drug enforcement as a law enforcement officer and drug prevention as an educator.
As a young police officer in Santa Ana, California, I patrolled neighborhoods that were suffering because of alcohol-and drug-related crime.
As a high school teacher in Irvine, California, I witnessed the devastating outcomes for students who abused drugs and for their families. For some, the outcome was lethal.
As a park ranger in Yellowstone National Park, I responded to numerous crashes because of drug-impaired driving.
In recent years, as the Montana Chairman of the Elks Drug Awareness Program, I have spoken to students, parents, community groups, and service organizations. At the start of my presentation, I always ask them to raise their hand if they personally know someone who has struggled with addiction.
Most of my audiences know someone with a substance use disorder, and many know someone who has lost or nearly lost a family member as a consequence of substance misuse.
After reading Facing Addiction In America, I have to agree with what Surgeon General Murthy said. “How we respond to this crisis is a test for America.”
I encourage each of you to consider the following strategies on prevention and enforcement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).
Protecting our children from harmful drugs and addiction that can be unrelenting is a shared responsibility that requires community-based prevention programs like the Elks Drug Awareness Program and effective enforcement.
Rick Gale Montana Chairman Elks Drug Awareness Program
It isn’t easy to watch the terrible effects of prescription drug abuse. However, too many Montanans watch those they love change; watch families being torn apart; watch them lose everything. YOU can make a difference in preventing abuse and help save our friends, families, and neighbors. Resolve to end prescription drug abuse in Montana.