Sunday, March 11, 2007

State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Karen
Carpenter-Palumbo Wednesday announced that New York State is observing
Problem Gambling Awareness Week from March 5-11. As part of this observance,
OASAS has launched a statewide Public Service Announcement in an effort to
encourage communication between parents and youth about the warning signs
associated with underage gambling. "OASAS is observing Problem Gambling
Awareness Week to shed light on this important addiction issue," said
Carpenter-Palumbo. "While the majority of New Yorkers who gamble do so
responsibly, we also know that compulsive gambling behaviors may pose
harmful consequences for youth. This week, OASAS continues its pro-active
prevention efforts in the realm of underage gambling by releasing a
statewide PSA. OASAS has also undertaken a number of research measures to
better understand and highlight the scope of problem gambling behaviors
among adolescents." Results of the OASAS survey of students in grades 7-12
indicate that almost 20 percent of these youth have a gambling problem based
on diagnostic criteria. In addition, males surveyed were nearly twice as
likely as females to have gambled within the past 30 days. The survey also
indicated that, of those students in grades 7-12 identified with a substance
abuse problem, almost half (42%) also had a gambling problem. Problem
gambling is considered a "hidden addiction" because there are no outward
warning signs of a problem. The consequences of this addiction, however, are
real. Preliminary research on the risk factors of adolescent gambling
indicates that the earlier a child begins gambling, the more likely they are
to develop a gambling problem. Adolescents may gamble to make themselves
feel important or as a way to increase their self esteem.