New Site Includes "Videos to Beat the Odds"

The Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Problem Gambling Program has a new site, BeatTheBet.com. The program also created the Videos to Beat the Odds competition to address the issue of teen problem gambling.

Some of Oregon Problem Gambling Services' regional prevention coordinators have been discussing the potential to offer a "video search" component in 2009 for the annual Oregon Problem Gambling Awareness Week. For six years, the state has been coordinating problem gambling awareness "art searches" (a.k.a. poster contests), in middle schools throughout Oregon. This next year may be an opportunity to expand the searches to high schools with a multimedia approach.

Take a look at the Minnesota high school student videos featured online at http://www.beatthebet.com/hs_FilmContestResults.asp.

What are your thoughts, or previous experiences, with this sort of awareness effort? Share your comments below.

New outreach materials

With the help of Oregon Problem Gambling Services, the Oregon Lottery has recently produced new materials that promote the 24-hour 1877-my-limit help line number, as well as the online helpline website, 1877mylimit.org.

Posters, business cards and brochures have recently been sent to Oregon's state-funded prevention and outreach contact persons, and more can be ordered from Oregon Problem Gambling Services as needed. PGS encourages prevention & outreach coordinators to get the word out by sharing these materials with partners, placing materials in a variety of visible locations, and used in outreach efforts.

If you are not part of a state-funded program, but would like to spread the word, please contact Wendy Hausotter know and PGS will send you a supply of these materials.

ADAPT Problem Gambling PSAs

Thanks to Pauline Martel & ADAPT for sharing these videos.






Comments?

Oregon problem gambling awareness poster search winners now online

[Above: top-selected poster in Oregon (2009 calendar cover); created by Cirra Halter, 8th grade, of Mt Angel Middle School.]

The top ten posters in Oregon for the 2008 Problem Gambling Awareness Week middle school poster search are now online here.

Lane County's top 10 posters are below.

Would you like to see more? Upload your region's posters to the blog or send them to Julie Hynes.

In-School Problem Gambling Prevention Handout

To: In-school prevention folks.
It looks like I'll have a one-shot opportunity to give a one-page (double-sided) handout of information to public Middle and Jr. High School students in the county this school year. I'm wondering what would be a best choice. I'm thinking I could use the Oregon DHS "Gambling is Risky Business. Know the Odds" brochure for youth (Publication DHS 91062). But, I'd like to add information about setting healthy limits into the white space at the end of the brochure. The content I'm thinking of adding is set out below. The symbols to the left of each point are really bullets (didn't translate well into the blog format).
What do you think about this idea? Do you have a better idea?
Mary Ann

Setting Healthy Limits

Guidelines for responsible gambling:

• Gamble only for fun.
• Use only fun money (like you would if you went bowling or to a movie).
• Think of the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment.
• Set a dollar limit and stick to it.
• Set a time limit and stick to it.
• Accept losing as part of the game.
• Don’t borrow money to gamble.
• Don’t let gambling interfere with family, friends, school, or work.
• Don’t gamble to win back losses.
• Don’t use substances that impair your decision making.
• Don’t use gambling as a way to cope with emotional or physical pain.
• Know the law on underage gambling.
• Talk to a counselor if you think you have a problem.
  

Agency Name Address Contact Numbers

OPGAW: Regional Problem Gambling News & Websites

News Stories:

Central Oregon's KZTV covers Awareness Week:

3/5/07: "Lottery ads target problem video gamblers"
http://www.ktvz.com/story.cfm?nav=news&storyID=18699
3/7/07: "Teen gamblers likely taking other risks" http://www.ktvz.com/story.cfm?nav=oregon&storyID=18726

Newport News-Times, 3/7/07: "Problem gambling awareness week observed"
http://newportnewstimes.com:80/articles/2007/03/07/news/news14.txt


Ontario's Argus Observer, 3/7/07: "Gambling awareness week kicks off"

http://www.argusobserver.com/articles/2007/03/07/news/news07.txt
Below: "Andrea Lockner (front) talks about the impact of gambling addiction while Nan Moss (behind Lockner) looks on. Lockner and Moss were on hand at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce session Monday to give a presentation regarding gambling addiction in Oregon. "(Photo source: Beckey Arnold , Argus Observer)


Regional PGS News Releases:
Lane County: "Local Transit Buses to Feature Youth-Created Posters That Raise Awareness of Problem Gambling"
http://www.lanecounty.org/News/News_2007/Release_29408.htm

Regional OPGAW Web Pages:
Yamhill County Prevention Council has a new blog and a post about the Oregon problem gambling help line.
http://yamhillcountypreventioncouncil.blogspot.com/2007/02/24-hour-problem-gambling-help-line-877.html

Lane County Problem Gambling Prevention Program offers a website on local OPGAW activities.
http://www.lanecounty.org/prevention/gambling/opgaw.htm

More news or updates? Let us know!

2007 OPGAW Resource Guide

The 2007 Oregon Problem Gambling Awareness Week Resource Guide is in! Get your copy now online.

OPGAW Weekly Bulletin [#3]

From: Wendy HAUSOTTER [mailto:Wendy.Hausotter@state.or.us]
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 3:51 PM
Subject: OPGAW Weekly Bulletin

Governor's Proclamation
We are still hoping to get the '07 proclamation out in time for OPGAW, but due to a Series of Unfortunate Events, that may not happen. Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed and we'll send it as soon as we get it!

Cool Stuff from your OPGAW CD/Binder...and these are only the tip of the iceberg!

• want to share tips on minimizing harm from internet gambling? see section 12 page 4
• want a handout on the phone-based program to help problem gamblers? see section 6 page 44 (GEAR)
• want to know if your area has any social gaming ordinances? see section 8 page 25
• want to spread the word about casino night alternatives? see section 6 page 10 and section 9 page 11
• need a sample letter to introduce youth gambling issues to a school principal? see section 9 page 28
  

New powerpoint slides:
We put together some powerpoint slides for a presentation Jeff gave recently and I thought they might be useful to some of you, so they are attached.


Wendy Hausotter
Public Health and Prevention Coordinator
Addictions and Mental Health Division (AMH)
Problem Gambling Services

OPGAW Weekly Bulletin [#2]

From: Wendy HAUSOTTER
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 10:58 AM
Subject: OPGAW Weekly Bulletin

Materials:
This week we'll be mailing CDs of the OPGAW materials to those of you who did not pick one up at last Friday's PGS meeting in Salem, so watch your mail!

We still have posters from this year (and previous years) and copies of the flyer for the OPGAW 07 art contest so let us know if you need some!

Ideas:
How are local prevention and outreach providers in Oregon planning to observe OPGAW? Here are a few ideas we heard last week...send me your plans and we'll include them in these emails...your idea may inspire others!

Washington County: exhibit at Washington Square Mall of artwork produced by problem gambling clients in Lifeworks' art therapy sessions; offering on-the-spot opportunities to do some art at the exhibit

Lane County: launching bus ad campaign featuring artwork from middle school poster contest

Josephine County and Mid-Columbia region: looking into having a presence at First Friday Art Walk or another existing community event

National Resources:

Attached is a flyer from the National PGAW website on the effects of problem gambling on the family...would be great to share with your treatment colleagues...for more ideas, check out this section of the National PGAW website: http://www.npgaw.org/participants/otherpartners.asp#VOR top of the page features individual stories of recovery; scroll down to NPGAW Participants for a state-by-state list of activities


Wendy Hausotter

Public Health and Prevention Coordinator

Addictions and Mental Health Division (AMH)

Problem Gambling Services

Oregon Problem Gambling Awareness Week Bulletin #1

From: Wendy Hausotter
Sent: Fri 2/2/2007 2:40 PM
To: Oregon PGS Mailing List
Subject: Oregon Problem Gambling Awareness Week Bulletin #1

Greetings! This is the first of a series of 5 weekly (hopefully not weakly!) emails I'll send you between now and the first week in March with information, materials and updates on problem gambling awareness week (March 5-11).

Coming Attractions: on Monday you'll receive an electronic version of the updated '07 OPGAW binder contents, followed by a CD in the mail later in the week. After that, you'll receive a full copy of the manual in a new binder. New sections include: suggested OPGAW 07 target activities, internet gambling, recovery, working with schools, and policy (highlighting social gaming) and all the data are updated as well.

In addition to the updated materials, here's a snapshot of our other State-level plans for OPGAW:

• We have requested a Governor's proclamation and will send copies to you when it is signed;
• working with DHS communications, we will release the Oregon Healthy Teens data to the press some time during OPGAW week (those data are included in the OPGAW binder update you'll receive electronically on Monday);
• we will be placing a display and educational materials in the lobby of our building during March 5-11;
• and we will have our clinical conference right before OPGAW week.

Artwork Search: a great activity many regions participate in for OPGAW is the youth artwork search; next year we'll be putting together a calendar featuring selected art (as well as facts, figures and information on problem gambling) so we need lots of middle school-aged kids to participate, and that happens through your efforts (you don't have to work solely through the schools to do this...churches, community centers, youth clubs and organizations are all good ways to connect with middle schoolers). If you would like copies of the flyer you can use to publicize the artwork search, and/or copies of this year's poster, please email Greta.

Another good activity to consider: how about doing the website update I suggested in an email a few weeks ago? If you need another copy of that email, or the web information template I sent out, please let me know...and thanks to those of you who have finished, or are in the process of, upgrading the problem gambling info on your website!


Wendy Hausotter
Public Health and Prevention Coordinator
Addictions and Mental Health Division (AMH)
Problem Gambling Services
500 Summer St NE E86
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 945-9703 phone
(503) 378-8467

Spring 2007 Problem Gambling Conference

February 28 & March 1, 2007 (Wed. & Thurs.)
Valley River Inn, Eugene, Oregon ACCBO & GCCBO accreditation 14 CEUs

Keynotes:

New and Emerging Game Technology
Roger Horbay, HSC, is the founder and President of Game Planit Interactive Corporation, developers of the safe@play Slot Machine tutorial. He is a recognized expert in the field of Electronic Gaming and Electronic Gaming Machines, and how the technology contributes to problem gambling. Mr. Horbay is also the founder and past President of the Canadian Problem Gambling Certification Board.

Personality Disorders
Dr. Michele Packard is the Executive Director of Sage Training & Consulting. Dr. Packard is a licensed psychologist and certified addictions counselor with over 20 years in the mental health field. She is co-author of a chapter titled Innovations in the Treatment of Dual Disorders in the 2nd edition of Motivational Interviewing, as well as author of a number of articles including Coping with bipolar disorder: Advice for family members; Assessment of the problem drinker and Offender Risk-Modification Training.

Featured Presentations:
Developments in Brain Research and Pharmacology Eric Martin MA, CADCIII and Dr. Darryl Inaba, Pharm.D
Improving Retention and Engagement: Lessons In Process Improvement Janet Bardossi MSW, LCSW
Fine Tuning Your Outreach Efforts Oregon Providers

OR you may choose this skill-building workshop:

Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Problem & Pathological Gamblers: A Curriculum-Based Group Intervention
Wed. 8:15 – 2:45 AND Thurs. 1-3 pm (takes the place of regular conference offerings for those who choose this option)
A great opportunity for those who want to develop or hone their group treatment skills. See insert for more details; participants must attend both days of the program and will be able to attend regular conference sessions only during the limited times when this workshop is not in session.

Schedule At-A-Glance (click picture to enlarge detailed offerings)

Regular conference offerings are in blue (shows as bold in printed version); the skill-building track (MET) for which you can register instead is in purple (shows as italic in printed version); if you select the MET track you should plan to attend all of those sessions and attend the regular conference sessions only when the MET workshop is not scheduled.

CONFERENCE ALTERNATIVE SELECTION
Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Problem and Pathological Gamblers: A Curriculum-Based Group Intervention

This curriculum–based motivational enhancement group model has broad application for all treatment providers, counselors, therapists, educators and other human service practitioners.

It allows for the facilitation and implementation of motivational interviewing strategies within five group sessions.
This group process and approach elicits and effects positive change in the lives of people struggling with gambling behavior, affecting their overall health, wellbeing and functioning.

** Participants will receive a free copy of the manual **

Training Objectives:

• Review conceptual models of motivation and motivational Interviewing
• Understand METPPG group structure and process
• Learn METPPG group facilitator role
• Understand the rationale and purpose and METPPG strategies of each session
• Review and experience each exercise as METPPG facilitator and as a group participant
• Learn how to implement the open-group format

Instructor: Ann Fields has a Masters’ in Education with over 25 years in the counseling field. Her specialty is behavior change. She also is a Masters' level Addictions Counselor (substance abuse and gambling). She was among the original practitioners trained by William Miller--the developer of Motivational Interviewing--in the early 1990s. She is registered with MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) in Washington and Oregon. She has since specialized in motivational interviewing/behavior change promotion in the group setting. She now consults and trains, locally and nationally, with human service practitioners from a variety of practice venues on her motivational interviewing group intervention model: Motivational Enhancement Therapy For Problem & Pathological Gamblers: developed in 1997, written and published in 2006.

___________________________________________

Site Information: reserve your room by Feb. 2 to get conf. rate The Valley River Inn: 1000 Valley River Way in Eugene. Phone: 800-543-8266. Conference lodging rate $84 (sgl queen, up to 2 people), $104 (dbl queen, up to 4 people) + tax; ask for “Oregon Problem Gambling Group Rate” when making your reservation. For directions go to: http://www.valleyriverinn.com/

Conference registration: Contact Patricia Alderson 503.945.5760 Patricia.alderson@state.or.us
Conference content/logistics/other: Contact Arlenia Elmore-Jegglie 503.945.9710 arlenia.elmore-jegglie@state.or.us

AD 80 Allocations

Today we emailed notifications of additional funds available for your AD 80 (problem gambling prevention and outreach) allocations. The deadline for responding and "claiming" the additional funds via a revised implementation plan is Jan. 8, so don't wait! Call if you need ideas, forms, etc.

Check the "comments" section below for some suggested ideas for using funds. And feel free to post some of your own comments as well.