CT Council on Problem Gambling Annual Conference

2011 Annual Conference a Huge Success!

On Thursday, October 20, 2011 The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling put on their Annual Conference at Water’s Edge Resort in Westbrook, CT.

Everyone in attendance was welcomed by Willie Coleman, Ph.D., Vice President, Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) Board of Directors; Marvin A. Steinberg, Ph.D., Executive Director, CCPG; and Mary Drexler, MSW, Assistant Director, CCPG.

The conference’s morning discussion was entitled, “Gambling and the Criminal Justice System.” Expert panelists include: Attorney James McCray, Public Defender, Middlesex County; Attorney Susan Brown, Office of the Chief Public Defender; Donna Zaharevitz, Peer Counselor and Recovering Gambler, Wheeler Clinic; and the Honorable Judge Patrick J. Clifford, Superior Court, New London.

Dr. Steinberg presented the keynote Address, “Assessment of the Progress in Addressing Problem and Underage Gambling since the Introduction of Legalized Gambling in Connecticut in 1972.” He shared 35-years of perspective and outlined landmarks of progress and suggestions for lifting barriers to prevent problem and underage gambling.

During lunch, the Connecticut Council presented Dr. Steinberg with a video tribute in honor of his upcoming 2012 retirement. Colleagues from across the country were featured telling Dr. Steinberg how much he had impacted their careers and their lives.

The afternoon agenda included a presentation by Lisa Najavits, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine; Lecturer, Harvard Medical School; Psychologist, VA Boston Healthcare System and McLean Hospital, entitled “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Problem Gambling.”

Another informative panel presentation in the afternoon entitled, “DigIn: a Statewide Project to Infuse Problem Gambling Awareness and Prevention into Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment.” Expert panelists included: Lori Rugle, Ph.D., DMHAS Problem Gambling Services; Tom Broffman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, ECSU, Consultant; Carrie Small, LCSW, Morris Foundation; Antoinette Morgillo, , BS, MATS, Recovery Network of Programs; and Amy Sedgwick, MS, LADC, CCDP, SCPG, Program Director, MCCA.

CCPG Annual Conference Brochure & Agenda