Fishing Derby Encourages Youth to Avoid Drugs
The "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" program attracted more than 150 people to a fishing derby on April 28. The program is run on the campus of Jackson County Ministries (JCM) in Annville, Kentucky.
"It was a lot of fun to be around," says RCA missionary and JCM program director Jake Moss. "Seeing a two-year-old kid jumping up and down because he had a fish on his pole--it was great."
Kentucky's governor, Ernie Fletcher, even stopped by.
"The governor arrived around noon and spent some time visiting the young anglers and hearing their fish stories," says Moss. "When he addressed the entire group, he encouraged them to be persistent not only with fishing but also in their other activities, and to seek out healthy alternatives to the drug culture that they will be invited to participate in."
Two years ago, 85 percent of middle school students at JCM's after-school program said they saw drugs at school an average of twice a week. Since then, Moss reports, the drug trade has gone underground and is no longer prevalent on school grounds.
"We're making a difference," he says. He attributes the success to Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigation, Treatment, and Education), which brings together educators, law enforcement, judicial officials, and faith-based organizations like JCM. UNITE sponsors the "Hooked on Fishing" program.
Patrick Hundley won the five-hour fishing derby by catching fish that measured 185 inches total. Even so, Moss says the pace was slightly less hectic than at last year's event, when someone caught a fish every 17 seconds or so.
The fishing derby was the season kick-off for "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs," which targets youth under the age of 18. Many participants will return for weekend fishing classes throughout the summer, where they fish, talk about fishing, and learn how to tie lures from two instructors.
"Usually during these sessions there'll be a break time where the instructors talk about drugs and that the only answer to our problems is Christ," Moss says. "They see where the kids are with that and bring that into the discussion time as appropriate. They help the children realize that drugs are not the answer to our problems."
Local businesses contributed prizes for the fishing derby, and a Baptist church from the area grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for participants.
In addition to "Hooked on Fishing," JCM offers summer Bible camps, basketball and after-school programs, and marriage seminars. The ministry is also involved with the Barnabas Home shelter for boys, and it oversees local thrift stores and coordinates volunteer work groups to provide home repair to local people in need.
Posted 07/10/07
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