CHARTER CAPTAINS TAKE ON DARE STUDENTS

Oswego County Sheriff's Department provides DARE (Drug Abuse
Resistance Education) to local youths. Deputies teach the program at
every school district throughout Oswego County.

"When we inform kids of the consequences and repercussions of drugs
and violence, we're working for a better community," said Sheriff
Reuel A. Todd. "Children are impressionable and we set the stage for
their future behavior. DARE demonstrates how drug use affects their
learning ability and deters their progress. Our deputies believe in
the program. They're tremendous instructors that relate to the kids."

DARE is taught in the Central Square school district by Deputy George
R. Korthas. "If one child is prevented from making the wrong choices,
I've done my job," said Deputy Korthas.

At the end of the school year, DARE graduates in the Central Square
school district participate in an annual fishing tournament on Lake
Ontario with local charter captains. "Fishing is a great example of a
positive way for kids to spend their free time," Deputy Korthas added.

The fishing tournament was organized by Deputy Korthas's wife, Lori,
Ron Hill Sr., and Ron Hill Jr. The tournament helps to raise money for
the program in the Central Square school district. Each charter
captain was sponsored by a business in Central Square. However, every
charter captain that participated in the tournament donated the money
back to DARE to show their support and dedication to the program.

The charter captains who donated their time to the DARE tournament are
American Charters, Captain Bernie Bacon; Cold Steel, Captain Tom
Burke; High Adventure, Captain Troy Creasy; Lil Flipper, Captain Don
Ruffo; TK Charters, Captain Bob Pultorak; The Other Woman, Captain Ron
J. Hill Sr.; Top Gun, Captain Greg Gehrig; and Rod Bender, Captain
Kevin Davis.

Local businesses that sponsored the tournament include Jack Brown &
Sons, Mark's Service Center, Northern Concrete, Rural Bolt, Scrimale's
Collision, Watson Funeral Home, and Wholesale Homes.

The Central Square DARE program challenged WTVH-Channel 5sports
announcer Kevin Mahar in the fishing tournament. DARE graduate Sean
Weatherup won the tournament and a new bike when he reeled in a 9 lb.
sheepshead aboard Cold Steel with Captain Tom Burke.

Following the tournament the graduates enjoyed a picnic at K&G Lodge
Twin Pines Cabins located on County Route 1 in Scriba. Sponsors of the
picnic include Frito Lay, K&G Lodge Twin Pines Cabins, Nice N Easy of
Central Square, Pepsi, and Sysco Foods.

"Each year the businesses in Central Square show increasing support
and help to contribute to the DARE program in their community. They've
seen how the program has made a difference in the lives of their
families and neighbors," Deputy Korthas said.

If you would like to support the DARE program in your local school
district, please contact the Oswego County Sheriff's Department at
349-3302 or 1-800-582-7583. Your help can provide t-shirts,
certificates, and special opportunities for DARE graduates.