Shown, from left Tom Kallas, the District Executive for the Mesquite and Venado Districts looks on as John Hubert hands the $10,000 check to David Rosse, Chairman for the Friends of Scouting “FOS” Campaign. The Boyscouts of America and John Hubert, the Kleberg & Kenedy County District Attorney worked together with the Kleberg County Commissioner’s Court to provide $10,000 of the District Attorney’s asset forfeiture funds to help provide drug education programs into the classroom.

Hubert explained that funds from the sale of illegal drugs are often seized by Law Enforcement under “Chapter 59” of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. When proven in Court that those funds are proceeds of illegal activity, those funds are forfeited to the State for use by Law Enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office. “It’s nice to use these funds to fight the very addictions they were being used to create.” Ten percent of the current fiscal years forfeiture funds can be used for drug rehabilitation, education or prevention programs. Hubert encourages this expenditure stating, “Constant reinforcement of the anti-drug message is important. With so many other sources such as TV and movies condoning the use of drugs, we have to fight that message if we are going to save our kids.”

The Boy Scouts of America, South Texas Council drug education program travels to many schools in Kleberg and Kenedy Counties. The program lessons are individually tailored to each grade, ensuring that the message is age/theme appropriate. BSA provides this program free of charge to the schools.

Tony Kallas, the District Executive for the Mesquite and Venado Districts, was appreciative of the donation. David Rosse, Chairman for the Friends of Scouting “FOS” Campaign also showed up on Tuesday for the formal presentation of the check.

The Venado District, South Texas Counsel of Boy Scouts of America includes Kingsville, Ricardo, Riviera, Sarita, Falfurrias, Hebbronville, and Bishop. By funding the Drug Education Programs, it allows Boyscouts to concentrate their other funds on their numerous summer activities for local children.

This expenditure was approved after a presentation to the Kleberg County Commissioner’s Court.