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Prevention of Problem Gambling
June 1999, Vol II, Issue 6

*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."

REPORTING ON PREVETION:
THE 13th NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING

The 13th National Conference on Problem Gambling was held in Detroit, Michigan June 4 - 6, 1999 and was co-sponsored by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the Michigan Council on Problem Gambling. This conference was the best attended National Conference on Problem Gambling ever, with over 450 participants representing a number of countries. While the conference is primarily treatment-oriented, there is an increase in the number of attendees who work in the field of prevention. Several prevention sessions were offered that highlighted the need for comprehensive understanding of prevention strategies and use of these strategies in programs tarGetting the issue of problem gambling.

Some Conference Highlights on Prevention:

"Best Practices in Prevention": Jim Wuelfing, CPP-R, of the CT Compulsive Gambling Treatment Program and the MA Council on Compulsive Gambling and Susan McLaughlin, M.P.A., of the CT Council on Problem Gambling offered a presentation on the statewide prevention plans of Massachusetts and Connecticut and the collaboration and programming efforts within CT and MA. One primary issue discussed was the call to work with general populations before they become high-risk.

"Overview of Youth Gambling Prevention in the United States and Canada": The Youth Gambling Resource Guide, compiled by Natasha Gill, B.S.W., is available through the Michigan Council on Problem Gambling at 313-396-0404. In her presentation, Ms. Gill discussed issues related to the development and implementation of school-based curricula for youth education and awareness of problem gambling in the U.S. and Canada.

"Peer Leader Programs": Kevin O'Neill, L.C.S.W., of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey presented a model peer leadership program for underage and problem gambling in the public school system. The program trains students and staff of existing high school peer leadership programs to identify problem gambling and to make referrals for assistance. For more information, please call Mr. O'Neill at the CCGNJ at 609-599-3299.

"Importance of Spirituality in the Treatment of Problem Gambling": In his talk, Father Leo Booth, an Episcopal priest, encompassed both treatment and prevention in his description of spirituality as connections with other people and making healthful and helpful choices.

Additional Prevention Related Sessions
(each involving several presenters) Included:

"Youth Gambling: Attitudes and Prevention"
"Adolescent Gambling: A View to Prevalence"
"Modifying Children's Perception of the Amount of Skill and Luck Involved in Gambling Activities" "Studies of Prevalence and Prevention"

Audiotapes of Conference presentations are available at a cost of $10 each, with discounts for purchases of 6 or more. For more information, please contact the National Council on Problem Gambling by telephone at 410-730-8008, or email at ncpgambling@erols.com.

The 14th National Conference on Problem Gambling will be held in Philadelphia, PA in October 2000. More information in upcoming Newsletters, or call the National Council on Problem Gambling at 410-730-8008.

Local Problem Gambling Helplines

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