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Prevention of Problem Gambling
April 2000, Vol III, Issue 4

*A Monthly Newsletter on Problem Gambling Prevention Information, Research, and Initiatives*

"No progress has ever been made against an epidemic by treating only the casualties."

THE PREVENTIONIST'S DILEMMA: THE GAP BETWEEN PREVALENCE AND PERCEPTION

AWARENESS OF GAMBLING-RELATED PROBLEMS,POLICIES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AMONGHIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS

The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling conducted a survey of 20 high schools and 10 colleges that were located within the catchment areas of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health state-sponsored gambling treatment programs. The purpose of the project was: (1) to determine whether high school and college educators and administrators consider student gambling as a problem within their institutions; (2) to learn if these institutions have developed gambling policies and educational programs or are taking measures to have them implemented; and (3) to develop relationships between schools and the Mass Council (to raise awareness and educate school administrators about problem gambling and various modes of prevention, intervention and treatment).

Some of the results include:

9% of high schools and community colleges and 60% of four-year colleges were aware of gambling problems among students;

26% of high schools had a gambling policy in place compared to 80% of college-level schools;

11% of all the schools had a student-athlete gambling policy in place and 19% of the schools had a staff & faculty policy;

While 82% of the schools participated in health surveys from time to time, only 5% ever included questions about gambling;

7% of the schools (only community colleges) provided in-service education on gambling-related issues for faculty or staff.

The results of this survey suggest that there is an important discrepancy between the prevalence of gambling-related problems among young people and the awareness of these problems among educators. These institutions are not sufficiently prepared to deal with gambling problems given the paucity of existing regulations or policies. Further, without sufficient in-service education and training for faculty and staff, there is little likelihood that this group of educators can engage in the early identification or prevention efforts that are so vital to advancing the health and welfare of young people. For more information on this study, contact the Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling at 617-426-4554

This Newsletter may be copied without permission. Please cite Prevention of Problem Gambling Newsletter as the source. For more information, please contact the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling primarily funded by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe at 203-453-0138, the DMHAS Compulsive Gambling Treatment Program at 860-344-2244, or the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling funded in part by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617-426-4554.

The following response to our READER'S FORUM illustrates the difficulties that can arise when problem gambling preventionists are asked to do awareness activities in forums where there may not be a thorough awareness or commitment to the issue. The writer poses questions regarding what works best. We hope her words provoke creative thought and we invite our readers to respond to share ideas and suggestions.

READER'S FORUM

As the Prevention Coordinator for Citizens!¬°P Task Force on Addictions in New London, CT, I participate in problem gambling awareness programs in schools. Sometimes the venue is an auditorium or cafeteria with upwards of 150 students. Other times it!¬°Ps a small classroom. As opportunities are few, our organization accepts every invitation it receives. Each opportunity poses unique challenges to students and requires a flexible approach on the part of the presenter. Addressing large audiences enables us to reach more students and at reasonable cost. But in large groups, students are less able and/or open to enter into dialog that is relevant to their daily lives. We leave hoping, but not always knowing if we have made a difference to even one person. By contrast, our experience with an infusion approach, such as presentations to reading, health or social studies classes, has taught us that students can be far more easily engaged. In small group settings, they ask questions and enthusiastically contribute their experience and views. However, we reach fewer people this way.

Clearly, there is no one-size-fits-all problem gambling prevention strategy that works for everyone. But I would ask readers with experience providing school-based problem gambling prevention services to share their expertise in this forum. Together, we may develop a set of best-practice guidelines. Annie C. Chittenden, Prevention Coordinator

Citizens!¬°P Task Force on Addictions, New London, CT

New England Problem Gambling Helplines:

CT 800-346-6238
MA 800-426-1234
RI 877-9-GAMBLE
VT 888-822-8274