MILLBURN, NJ – Hundreds of New Jersey families spent time together fishing in state rivers, lakes, bays  and the Atlantic Ocean along the shore as part of an effort to motivate families to spend time with their children to prevent substance abuse.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey held the first "Don't Get Hooked on Drugs" Online New Jersey Family Fishing Tournament in August 2015.

Three entries we randomly selected to win over $600 in prizes including a photo of Chatham residents Daniel Mon with his daughters, Charlotte, Lillian, and Madeline Mon in Spring Lake in Spring Lake New Jersey; Middletown, Monmouth County resident Charles Criscuolo with his grandsons Travis Baeder, 5, and Kolton Baeder,3 fishing in their hometown, and Marlyn Graham, 18, and Gina Lawrenson with their flounder catch in the ocean off Island Beach State Park in Ocean County aboard the Carolyn Ann III fishing vessel.

Charles Criscuolo with his grandsons Travis Baeder, 5, and Kolton Baeder,3 fishing in their hometown	Marlyn Graham, 18, and Gina Lawrenson with their flounder catch in the ocean off Island Beach State Park in Ocean County aboard the Carolyn Ann III
Daniel Mon with his daughters, Charlotte, Lillian, and Madeline Mon in Spring Lake in Spring Lake New Jersey

Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ said, "In the summertime, children are out of school leaving them with more free-time and more vulnerable to engage in drug use. This Don't Get Hooked on Drugs Fishing Tournament encouraged families to get involved in some summertime fun. Spending more time with family is the best way to keep children from drugs and continue living drug-free."

According to Valente, kids who communicate regularly with their parents about their daily activities are 67 percent less likely to be involved in substance abuse than children who have little or no communication.

"In a world where children constantly stay plugged into technology, a day of fishing will be a nice break and drive families to talk with one another more about their daily activities," Valente said.

Photos of all of the participants can be found on the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey Facebook, Instagram and Twitter platforms.