KIDS LEARN ALTERNATIVE TO DRUGS

The fish were biting Saturday for the annual "Fishing for Futures"
event put on by the local OPP.

"It was excellent," said Cst. Dereck McLean. "All the teams caught
fish."

One team alone caught 51 fish, he noted.

About 25 children, aged 11 and 12, spent the day on Rainy Lake with 18
officers, cadets, auxiliary members, and retired officers who
volunteered their time--and their boats--to take them fishing.

"I can't say enough about the officers," Cst. McLean
said.

The children were selected by their classroom teachers based on
certain criteria: they must have recently graduated from the Grade 6
D.A.R.E. program, and they would not normally have the means to spend
the day fishing.

"For a lot of the kids, it was their first time fishing," Cst. McLean
noted.

"Fishing for Futures" was launched in 2005 as a continuation of the
D.A.R.E. program, which helps kids "recognize and resist the many
subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with drugs and
violence," he explained.

"The goal of 'Fishing for Futures' event is to break down barriers
between police and the public by involving our youth in a fun,
family-based activity.

"We are also hoping to introduce children to safe boating practices,
fishing as a sport, and as a positive alternative to drug use," he
added.

The teams left from the Sorting Gap Marina at 9 a.m., stopped for
lunch at The Fisheries, and ended the day with a barbecue at Sunny
Cove Camp, compliments of the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club and M&M Meats
here.

While out on the lake, the teams also stopped by some popular sights,
including the mermaid.

Caitlin Fletcher, an 11-year-old student at Robert Moore School, said
her favourite part of the day was "getting splashed."

Alexander Wells, 12, who also attends Robert Moore, caught the first
fish of the day, but admitted it wasn't his first time fishing.

His team--which included former OPP chief Hugh Dennis--reeled up 15
fish, with Wells catching about half of them.

"It's awesome," his mother, Jennifer, said of the program. "It gives
the kids a chance to meet other people."

Each participant also received a T-shirt, fishing rod, and lure so
they can continue to pursue fishing.

"It doesn't have to be expensive. And it's a positive alternative
activity," Cst. McLean noted.

Other sponsors of the program include Canada Safeway, Great Bear
Shell, Canadian Tire, Red Wing Lodge, Rainy River District Community
Policing Committee, and the Substance Abuse Prevention Team.