This week is recognized nationwide by the National Council on Problem gambling and its 35 state affiliates and by countless organizations and individuals working to prevent problem and pathological gambling. In Connecticut, the goal of the statewide campaign is to increase public and professional awareness of problem gambling issues and the availability of services to assist those affected by the disorder. Problem gambling carries serious negative public health consequences that span mental, physical, and spiritual health.
Problem gambling not only affects the gamblers themselves, but also affects their loved ones, friends, co-workers, employers, and other relationships. Societal costs include the consequences of reduced productivity at work, increased costs for social services, debts and creditor losses, criminal activity and even suicide. The week brings these issues to the forefront, and informs those affected that there is help.
Council Raises Awareness of the Impact of Problem Gambling on the Overall Health and Well-being of Connecticut Families
The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) will be conducting a variety of activities in and around the week. CCPG staff will:
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Distribute public service announcements to radio stations in CT |
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Place public service announcements (PSAs) on select television and radio stations |
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Distribute materials to senior and youth & family service agencies, and spiritual communities |
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Support recipients of CCPG's College Mini-Grant with awareness and prevention programming |
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Support regional prevention activities through the "H.Ed.G.E. Your Bets" Collaborative (Higher Education Gambling Effects) |
For more information about CCPG's activities, please contact Dr. Marvin Steinberg, Executive Director, or Mary Drexler, Assistant Director at (203) 453-0138.
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The Week's Events |
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Southern Connecticut State University has for the past two years taken advantage of the mini-grant offered by CCPG to educate their college community on the issue of problem gambling during Problem Gambling Awareness Week. They have been proactive in generating activities that engage the college community in understanding that gambling can easily become an addiction and where individuals can seek help/treatment if needed. Their dedication and work to create awareness of the issue of problem gambling has been exceptional and is clearly a model CCPG hopes other college campuses will follow. [click here for more information] |
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On the Radio: For the month of March, CCPG has entered into a contract with Country 92.5, WWYZ to air 36 radio PSA spots (1 each morning between 6am and 10am and one each evening between 3pm and 7pm) to enhance public awareness of problem gambling and to provide CT residents with the CT Problem Gambling Helpline number, often the first step to treatment. In addition, WWYZ 92.5 has a link on their website to CCPG's website and is also airing PSA spots during 10am and 3pm. This collaborative effort has strengthened the Council's ability to not only reach problem gamblers and their families, but to let them know there is hope and help for this addiction. |
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The New England News Forum is a non-profit collaboration among news professionals, citizen journalists, educators and the public to support vigorous, independent, trusted, accountable journalism. On March 11th, 2008, public officials, journalists, researchers and a top industry executive will assess the impact and reporting on casino gambling on New England -- the experience in Connecticut and the promise in Massachusetts -- during an evening symposium at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. The event is open to the public and is free with a donation suggested. "The Big Gamble: The Costs, Benefits and Coverage of Casinos," is being co-presented by the New England News Forum at the University of Massachusetts and the School of Communications at Quinnipiac. The event will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Mancheski Executive Seminar Room at the Lender School of Business Center. Dr. Marvin Steinberg, Executive Director of the Council, has been asked to be a participant in this important discussion. [click here for more information] |
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Collaborative Efforts
Prior to and during Problem Gambling Awareness Week, the CT Council continues to consult with both the Lottery Commission and the Casinos to support them in their efforts to reach out to both patrons and employees on the serious issue of problem gambling. |
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The CT Council on Problem Gambling has entered into an agreement with National Amusements to run problem gambling public service announcements for 16 weeks in theatres throughout CT. These brief ads which will run three times prior to the start of the movie are intended to increase awareness of the issue of problem gambling, as well as provide the number to the Problem Gambling Helpline in CT, a resource for connecting to treatment. These PSA ads will air in theatres in the towns of Plainville, Southington, Middletown, Bridgeport, Mansfield, Groton, and Danbury. [click here for more information] |
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| Business W.A.G.E. Program: The consequences of problem gambling include: family disruption, debts, depression and anxiety, conflicts with co-workers, violence, arrest and incarceration, and even suicide. For an employer, this results in unhealthy employees, a disruptive work environment, absences and lowered work productivity, potential crimes, and even violence. Problem gambling will affect an employee's financial, physical and mental health, and overall work productivity. It will also affect the business' bottom line. For those reasons, The CT Council on Problem Gambling created the Business W.A.G.E.: Workplaces Addressing Gambling Employees. The program aims to establish and sustain partnerships with key stakeholders of businesses within CT. Stakeholders include Employee Assistance Programs, Human Resource departments, Chambers of Commerce, and the CT Business and Industry Association. The intended goals of the program are to bring awareness and tools for prevention of problem gambling and its consequences to employers and stakeholders, and to shape the culture and policies of those organizations. |
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