| If you are a fisherman you realize how much fun and | | | | businesses to come on board. FET Inc. of |
| rewarding this sport can be. It gives you a chance to | | | | Scarborough, Maine holds a yearly ice fishing event to |
| experience the outdoors, relax, and have fun with | | | | raise money for the program. Donations are received |
| family and friends. It is a sport you can participate in all | | | | from individuals, companies, and memorial funds. |
| year round, provided you have the proper equipment. It | | | | The steps the Department has taken to achieve these |
| is a chance to get away from the rush of daily life and | | | | goals are to sponsor workshops that train volunteers; |
| to create memories. This not only benefits adults, but is | | | | work with clubs interested in sports; provide Learning |
| vitally important for the youth. Thanks to Maine's | | | | To Fish clinics throughout the state; dispense |
| Department of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife, the | | | | information on fishing; and provide fishing tackle, |
| "Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs" has been | | | | assistance, and resources to the participating |
| implemented to get the youth interested in spending | | | | organizations. More than half of the children who have |
| their time positively, and decreasing their interest in | | | | been in the program have never fished before. Three |
| drugs. | | | | quarters of those who have never fished before |
| Studies have shown that the reasons youth succumb | | | | continue to do so. Two thirds take more of an interest |
| to alcohol or drugs include lack of motivation, peer | | | | in their environment. Maine's 118th Legislature enacted a |
| pressure, boredom, lack of self-esteem, family | | | | law that allows the Department to accept donations, |
| problems, inadequate social skills, and inadequate | | | | services, and other goods which can only be used to |
| communication skills. The "Hooked On Fishing, Not On | | | | promote the education of the youth. Walmart was the |
| Drugs" program offers alternatives by encouraging | | | | first to sponsor the program, and has encouraged |
| proper problem solving, expanding communication with | | | | other businesses to come on board. FET Inc. holds a |
| parents and positive family interactions, while creating | | | | yearly ice fishing event to raise money for the |
| responsibility. Children who have positive life skills are | | | | "Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs" program. Donations |
| less apt to turn to drugs or alcohol. | | | | are received from individuals, companies, and memorial |
| Maine's 118th Legislature enacted a law that allows the | | | | funds. |
| Department to accept donations, services, and other | | | | If you are a fisherman yourself, you know how great a |
| goods which can only be used to promote the | | | | sport fishing can be, and how the proper equipment |
| education of the youth. Walmart was the first to | | | | can make it even more pleasurable. You may be |
| sponsor the program, and has encouraged other | | | | interested in the following. |