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.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
'Poker for kids? Think twice before anteing up'
November 20, 2006
by Jeff Marotta
Published in the Salem Statesman-Journal on December 2, 2006 [original article here].
So what's the fuss? I received this e-mail from a concerned mother of two:
"I want to know how much I should be worrying about gambling and the health of my kids. They watch poker tournaments on TV, their friends wear clothing with references to poker, and I heard my son talk about playing poker with friends.... What is a mother to do?"
She is not alone in wondering about the effects of ongoing exposure to gambling. Today's is the first generation to grow up in a society where gambling is widely accepted, advertising is ubiquitous and gambling activities are commonplace.
Research indicates that 60-90 percent of youth engage in gambling, and that youth problem gambling rates are 2-4 times higher than those of adults. Surveys of Oregon teens tell us drugs, alcohol and gambling often travel together, yet many parents see gambling as a relatively safe pastime and encourage it as an alternative activity.
I told the concerned mom that, although we don't know the ultimate effects of today's gambling popularity, we do know both children and adults can and do get caught up in gambling in a way that is harmful to themselves and others around them.
This is not to say that if your child is gambling you need to panic -- most kids engage in some form of gambling and most don't develop gambling problems. But you do need to recognize that gambling carries risk and approach it accordingly, as you would tobacco use, drug use or fastening your car's seatbelt.
What do you look for if you're concerned your child might have a problem? Watch for signs such as lying about gambling, gambling superseding other activities, using money to gamble that's supposed to be used for other things, borrowing money to gamble, or stealing and letting schoolwork suffer.
by Jeff Marotta
Published in the Salem Statesman-Journal on December 2, 2006 [original article here].
So what's the fuss? I received this e-mail from a concerned mother of two:
"I want to know how much I should be worrying about gambling and the health of my kids. They watch poker tournaments on TV, their friends wear clothing with references to poker, and I heard my son talk about playing poker with friends.... What is a mother to do?"
She is not alone in wondering about the effects of ongoing exposure to gambling. Today's is the first generation to grow up in a society where gambling is widely accepted, advertising is ubiquitous and gambling activities are commonplace.
Research indicates that 60-90 percent of youth engage in gambling, and that youth problem gambling rates are 2-4 times higher than those of adults. Surveys of Oregon teens tell us drugs, alcohol and gambling often travel together, yet many parents see gambling as a relatively safe pastime and encourage it as an alternative activity.
I told the concerned mom that, although we don't know the ultimate effects of today's gambling popularity, we do know both children and adults can and do get caught up in gambling in a way that is harmful to themselves and others around them.
This is not to say that if your child is gambling you need to panic -- most kids engage in some form of gambling and most don't develop gambling problems. But you do need to recognize that gambling carries risk and approach it accordingly, as you would tobacco use, drug use or fastening your car's seatbelt.
What do you look for if you're concerned your child might have a problem? Watch for signs such as lying about gambling, gambling superseding other activities, using money to gamble that's supposed to be used for other things, borrowing money to gamble, or stealing and letting schoolwork suffer.
Another suggestion I gave the concerned mom was to talk to her kids about gambling using these simple guidelines:
- Notice opportunities to discuss gambling. Help children make sense out of what they see on television, in the news and in the community.
- Discuss rules and expectations for behavior, and follow through with consequences.
Be specific. When you talk about gambling, mention examples such as buying a lottery ticket, betting on a sports event, playing bingo. - Be clear about your own values but avoid sweeping statements (all gambling is bad) or threats ("if I ever catch you betting money..."). Kids feel immortal, so scaring them doesn't work; threats invite rebellion.
- Emphasize balance and choice. Facing choices about gambling and other risky behaviors can be a good way to practice making good decisions about many life issues.
As a parent, you play the most important role in preventing problem gambling behaviors in your children. You may want to think twice before buying your daughter a "Pink Poker Night" set or, for that matter, any one of the hundreds of gambling products that will adorn your newspaper's ad inserts.
A better gift is talking to your kids about the risks of gambling and helping them understand the best bets made in life aren't made in card games.
Jeff Marotta is problem gambling services manager in the Oregon Department of Human Services Addictions and Mental Health Division. For additional information on youth gambling, visit the
DHS Problem Gambling Services Web site or call the Oregon Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-877-2-STOP-NOW.__
Comments? Additional comments on Dr. Marotta's article can be found at the Statesman-Journal website.
Monday, November 13, 2006
'Gambling addiction trapping women'
The Oregonian published "Gambling addiction trapping women," by Lisa Grace Lednicer in its November 12 Sunday edition. The Associated Press picked up the story and more articles were printed in other jurisdictions. The original Oregonian story may be found online here.
Article highlights:
More women are now seeking treatment for addiction than men.
Women prefer the privacy of video slots to other games, such as cards and sports bets, which are more preferred among men. Women tend to gamble as an escape, whereas men tend to gamble for excitement.
Typical problem gambler in Oregon:
Stories of crime and personal experiences are shared.
___
Similar articles:
November 13, The Oregonian (Associated Press)
November 17, KGW-TV (Northwest News Channel 8) (Bruce Sussman)
Comments?
Article highlights:
More women are now seeking treatment for addiction than men.
Women prefer the privacy of video slots to other games, such as cards and sports bets, which are more preferred among men. Women tend to gamble as an escape, whereas men tend to gamble for excitement.
Typical problem gambler in Oregon:
- Between 45 and 54 years old
- Married
- Have attended college
- Earn $50,000 or more a year in a professional or technical field
Stories of crime and personal experiences are shared.
___
Similar articles:
November 13, The Oregonian (Associated Press)
November 17, KGW-TV (Northwest News Channel 8) (Bruce Sussman)
Comments?
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Oregon school gambling policies
Note: The following policies were located online in a search of policies related to gambling (October 2006). This sampling of policies is not exhaustive, but meant as a guide to help facilitate the development of school gambling policies, given that student/parent handbooks are written in various formats.
Amity School District (Amity) Student/Parent Handbook
Definition: Participation in game of chance for the purpose of exchanging money.
Consequences: “Students shall be liable to discipline, suspension, or expulsion for misconduct including…gambling.”
Cascade Middle School (Bend) Student Handbook
Definition: To wager money or anything of value on the outcome of a game, contest or other event.
Consequences: “(Gambling) may result in detention, loss of privileges and/or suspension on the first offense; serious or repeated offenses may result in recommendation for expulsion.”
Elmira High School (Elmira) Student/Parent Handbook 2006-2007
Definition: (No definition for gambling listed.)
Consequences: Step 1= Detention/Wednesday School; Step 2= Suspension 1-3 School Days; Step 3= Suspension 5-10 School Days
Fir Ridge Campus Alternative High School (Portland) Student Handbook
Definition: Risking something of value in hopes of winning something else of value is prohibited on school property or at school activities.
Descriptor (no specific consequence listed): Gambling is listed as one of the “prohibited actions which are never allowed on campus or at school function.”
Gaston Junior/Senior High School (Gaston) Student Handbook 2004-2005
Definition: Participating in games of chance for the purpose of exchanging money and other things of value
Consequences: First offense=ranges from informal talk to suspension. Repeated offense=ranges from conference to suspension.
Grant Union High School (John Day) Student Handbook 2006-2007
Definition: Participating in games of chance for purpose of exchanging money.
Consequences: Range from informal talk to suspension.
Junction City High School (Junction City) Student Handbook 2005-2006
Consequences: Step 1 = Detention, confiscation of property; Step 2 = Suspension 1-5 days
(No definition for gambling listed.)
Lundy Elementary School (Lowell) Student Handbook 2003-2004
Descriptor: “Gambling will not be allowed in the school buildings or on the school grounds, or during school sponsored activities.”
(No definition or specific consequences for gambling listed.)
Monroe Middle School (Eugene) Student/Parent Handbook 2006-2007
Definition: All forms of gambling are forbidden and will not be permitted. Soliciting or conducting a lottery on school ground is also forbidden.
Discipline: “Depending on seriousness of situation, full range of sanctions apply including suspension and possible expulsion.”
North Marion High School (Aurora) Student Handbook 2003-2004
Definition: participating in games of chance for the purpose of exchanging money or property.
Consequences: Gambling is listed as one of the “serious misconduct” behaviors. (No specific consequence listed.)
Oakridge High School (Oakridge) Student Planner 2005-2006
Consequences: First occurrence=1 day suspension, 10 points; Repeated occurrences=1 day suspension, 20 points.
(No definition for gambling listed.)
Rogue River High School (Rogue River) Student Handbook 2006-2007
Definition: Participating in games of chance for the purpose of exchanging money, property, or services.
Consequences: First offense= conference to suspension. Repeated offense= Suspension to expulsion.
Thurston High School (Springfield) Student Handbook 2006-2007
“Gambling in any form between students is prohibited.”
(No definition for gambling listed.)
Monday, October 23, 2006
New estimates of adult problem gamblers in Oregon
October 21-- The Oregonian published new results from Oregon's latest adult problem gambling prevalence study. Click here to read the full article, "Little change seen in problem gamblers," by Michelle Cole.
Key Points
More than 75,000 adults in Oregon are problem gamblers, according to a new study released by the Oregon Gambling Addiction Treatment Foundation.
Key Points
More than 75,000 adults in Oregon are problem gamblers, according to a new study released by the Oregon Gambling Addiction Treatment Foundation.
- 2005 estimate of Oregon problem/pathological gamblers: 2.7%
- 2001 estimate: 2.3%
- Study participants: 1,554 adults
Timeline: study occurred before launch of video slots in May 2005
Games of choice:
- Still video lottery (poker).
- The preferred gambling activity among Oregonians has shifted from casinos -- once the preferred choice -- to traditional lottery games.
- More Oregonians are gambling over the telephone and Internet. The study estimates that about 50,000 adults who gambled last year had placed bets via the phone or computer, most of them men.
- From June 2005 to July 2006, 2,056 Oregon residents sought help, often by calling the statewide help line.
- 10 percent increase in the number of people seeking state-funded treatment over the past year since video line games (slots) were introduced.
- The Oregon Lottery reported $1.09 billion in sales last fiscal year.
- Video game sales are up almost 27 percent since line games (video slots) were introduced in May 2005.
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