Thursday, September 21, 2006

USA Today article on youth gambling prevention efforts

September 6, 2006 -- USA Today article features information on Indiana, Minnesota, and Oregon's youth gambling prevention efforts. Click here to read the full article, "Indiana moves to fight youth gambling addictions," by Donna Leinwand.

Key points:

Indiana:
Started an after-school program that educates youth about the dangers of drugs and gambling addiction. The program enrolls about 14,000 students ages 10-14 each year.

"The move comes as prevention officials across the nation are weighing how to respond to several studies that have indicated that gambling addiction — fueled in part by the recent popularity of Texas Hold 'Em, a poker game — is an increasing problem among youths."

Oregon:
Currently integrating problem gambling prevention with substance abuse prevention curriculum

Minnesota:
Minnesota Institute of Public Health designed gambling prevention curricula in the early 1990s, when the popularity of casino gambling took off. The programs are available to all Minnesota schools but are not a mandatory part of the curriculum.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I found very important the prevention work in adolescents and young adults. I know a place in NYC (If interested and living in the area) that offers FREE treatment for adolescent and adult problem gamblers. This is the website: www.ColumbiaGamblingDisordersClinic.org
I hope this message gets to someone who needs it.
Good luck