Optimist International originated several other programs in the 1950s. One of these was the organization of an all-out campaign against the illegal sale and use of narcotics, especially among young people. At the 1954 International Convention, delegates passed a resolution asking all Optimists and Optimist Clubs to urge legislation for more severe penalties against the illegal sale of narcotics. At the 1955 convention, Optimists endorsed the death penalty for the conviction of an illegal narcotics sale to a juvenile. Legislation called for in the resolution was adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1956.

Club resolutions, speakers’ bureaus, public meetings, newspaper and radio publicity were all designed with the purpose to alert parents to the seriousness of the situation and to solicit their help in stopping it. Parents were urged to be on the lookout for such pornographic materials in their own mailboxes and, if any was discovered, to forward it at once to their local Post Office.

Another social problem plaguing post World War II society was school dropouts. Again, Optimist International organized a program of action to meet it. Many Optimists personally engaged in the Stay-in-School Program through service on committees that met with school officials and youth leaders and then with the young people themselves to encourage them to continue their education and to offer any assistance needed to remain in school.