Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs - Effective in Maine

If you are a fisherman you realize how much fun and rewarding this sport can be. It gives you a chance to experience the outdoors, relax, and have fun with family and friends. It is a sport you can participate in all year round, provided you have the proper equipment. It is a chance to get away from the rush of daily life and to create memories. This not only benefits adults, but is vitally important for the youth. Thanks to Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife, the "Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs" has been implemented to get the youth interested in spending their time positively, and decreasing their interest in drugs.

Studies have shown that the reasons youth succumb to alcohol or drugs include lack of motivation, peer pressure, boredom, lack of self-esteem, family problems, inadequate social skills, and inadequate communication skills. The "Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs" program offers alternatives by encouraging proper problem solving, expanding communication with parents and positive family interactions, while creating responsibility. Children who have positive life skills are less apt to turn to drugs or alcohol.

Maine's 118th Legislature enacted a law that allows the Department to accept donations, services, and other goods which can only be used to promote the education of the youth. Walmart was the first to sponsor the program, and has encouraged other businesses to come on board. FET Inc. of Scarborough, Maine holds a yearly ice fishing event to raise money for the program. Donations are received from individuals, companies, and memorial funds.

The steps the Department has taken to achieve these goals are to sponsor workshops that train volunteers; work with clubs interested in sports; provide Learning To Fish clinics throughout the state; dispense information on fishing; and provide fishing tackle, assistance, and resources to the participating organizations. More than half of the children who have been in the program have never fished before. Three quarters of those who have never fished before continue to do so. Two thirds take more of an interest in their environment. Maine's 118th Legislature enacted a law that allows the Department to accept donations, services, and other goods which can only be used to promote the education of the youth. Walmart was the first to sponsor the program, and has encouraged other businesses to come on board. FET Inc. holds a yearly ice fishing event to raise money for the "Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs" program. Donations are received from individuals, companies, and memorial funds.

If you are a fisherman yourself, you know how great a sport fishing can be, and how the proper equipment can make it even more pleasurable. You may be interested in the following.

When you are going fishing, you want to be as comfortable as possible. You may be interested in a backpack folding chair which is on sale today, and includes a pole holder, a cup holder, and a free clamp-on umbrella. If so, check this out Fishing Backpack Chair

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