9/29/08 | Problem Gamblers Awareness Day

For Immediate Release 09/29/08
Bus Ads to Raise Awareness of "Hope and Help" for Problem Gamblers

Contacts: Julie Hynes, Lane County Problem Gambling Prevention coordinator, 682-3928, julie.hynes@co.lane.or.us; Ronda Hatefi, Oregonians for Problem Gambling Awareness Organization founder, 541-688-7101, ogao.ronda@gmail.com

Thirteen years ago, Ronda Hatefi’s brother Bobby Hafemann took his life. Bobby suffered with a gambling addiction that his family knew about, but had few resources to help during a time when not much help was available in the state of Oregon. Bobby was only 28 years old.

To commemorate Bobby’s life and raise awareness about the availability of "Hope and Help" for problem gamblers and their loved ones, Lane County Health and Human Services and Oregonians for Problem Gambling Awareness Organization have partnered to place "Lost to Addiction " ads on Lane County buses beginning today, Sept. 29 – Bobby’s birthday. The ads will run through the month of October.

Hatefi, chair of the Lane County Problem Gambling Advisory Committee and Executive Director of Oregonians for Gambling Awareness Organization, wants to let people know that there is hope and help for problem gamblers in Oregon – and that the help is free and confidential.

Julie Hynes, Lane County’s Problem Gambling Prevention coordinator, said the ads are meant to honor Bobby’s life while presenting a message of hope and help.

"This is a reminder that there now is help and hope for people and their loved ones who are dealing with gambling problems," Hynes said. "Help is available – and it’s right here in Lane County at the Emergence Gambling Treatment Program."

While the majority of people gamble with few or no adverse consequences, the rate of problem gambling has risen as gambling opportunities have become more available. Research shows that about 80,000 Oregonians experience problems with gambling. Consequences of problem gambling include more than just debt; families and jobs are often lost, and depression and alcohol or drug abuse is quite common among problem gamblers. In Oregon’s gambling treatment programs this year, one in five problem gamblers said they had suicidal thoughts, and seven percent made an attempt on their lives in the six months leading up to treatment. About one in five problem gamblers in Oregon said they committed crimes to obtain gambling money.

Thirteen years ago, Bobby Hafemann and other problem gamblers had few resources to help with gambling problems. Hatefi knows there are people who continue to need the help, but are unaware that it is available. Fortunately, more people in Oregon are seeking help for gambling problems than ever before. Getting help early is key to saving lives and avoiding the pain that Bobby Hafemann's family knows too well.

Hatefi said of her efforts,"I know that many family members feel alone and helpless against this addiction, I want them to know that help is available for them too. The best way to help someone you love is to become educated about the addiction. My motto has not changed in thirteen years: No Problem Gambler Stands Alone."

Anyone concerned about his or her own gambling, or a loved one's gambling problem, can get free help by calling the 24-hour problem gambling Help Line, housed at the Emergence Gambling Treatment Program in Eugene, at 1.877.MY.LIMIT (877-695-4648), or by going online at 1877mylimit.org. People can get more information about problem gambling at Lane County's problem gambling prevention website, www.lanecounty.org/prevention/gambling.

The "Lost to Addiction" ad, a reminder of Bobby Hafemann’s life and that there is "Hope and Help," will appear on five LTD buses through the month of October. The ads were designed by Problem Gambling Advisory Committee member and artist Michel Savage.

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