CALAIS – Bowlers tossed the ball Sunday at the seventh annual Bowl Down Drugs competition, and at the same time helped raise money for the Police Department in its anti-drug battles.

Most of the team members didn’t even know how to bowl. That was evident by the pins left standing and the low scores.

Everyone agreed, however, that it was still a lot of fun.

The event was held at the Saint Croix Bowling Club on Main Street.

The first team on the lanes was the Media Team and its supporters, made up of Tom McLaughlin, Nancy Gillis, Joyce Scott, Deidre Scott and Carol Ann Nicholson.

Deirdre Scott, who repeatedly threw strikes, said she was having a lot of fun.

Police Chief Michael Milburn said the fundraiser has been important because it has paid for programs that help battle the city’s drug problem.

Two years ago the department used the money to offer drug-testing urine kits to parents for $6 apiece, a bargain since they can retail for as much as $30.

The program, which was believed to be the first of its kind in the state, was deemed a success because parents did pick up the kits so they could test their children in their own homes.

Police also have used the money to buy surveillance cameras, among other items. “They were able to use these funds to buy things that they would not have been able to,” said Theresa Porter, one of the organizers.