Council Column
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) provides updates on activities by the NCPG and its 33 state affiliates to increase public awareness of efforts to address problem gambling. The NCPG is a nonprofit organization founded in 1972 to increase public awareness of pathological gambling, ensure the widespread availability of treatment for problem gamblers and their families, and to encourage research and programs for prevention and education. The NCPG maintains a neutral stance, neither for nor against legalized gambling.
The following are highlights of activities of the NCPG and state councils:
The National Council on Problem Gambling and theTexas Council on Problem and Compulsive Gamblingare co-sponsoring the 16th National Conference on Problem Gambling June 13-15 in Dallas. This year's conference promises to be bigger and better than ever in true Texas style as the NCPG celebrates its 30th anniversary and its Texas affiliate celebrates its 10th year. Participants will be able to choose from 60 presentations that address clinical, research, prevention, education and gaming industry topics, featuring leading U.S. and international experts such as Dr. David Korn, University of Toronto; Dr. Steven Gardner, U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention; and Kevin Mullally, Missouri Gaming Commission. Visitwww.ncpgambling.org for more info.
"When gambling is no longer fun, there is help" is the theme of Kentucky's first coalition to plan a Responsible Gaming Education Week program. The Kentucky Lottery Corp., Churchill Downs, Inc., Caesars Riverboat Casino, Keeneland Race Course, Argosy Casino and Hotel, the Kentucky Department of Charitable Gaming, the state Division of Substance Abuse, Kentucky state government officials, independent compulsive gambling counselors and the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling are merging efforts to increase awareness of responsible gaming. For more information, call 502-223-1823.
The California Council on Problem Gambling has just completed a project in collaboration with the Riverside County Office on Aging, producing a 28-minute video on seniors and problem gambling titled, "Winning The Game." Tom Tucker, executive director of the council, will be a keynote speaker at the annual Generations of Addictions Conference March 14 in Hemet, Calif. For more information, call 760-320-0234.
The Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling is supporting problem gambling education through its library distribution project. The council has donated copies of "Behind the 8-Ball, A Guide for Families of Gamblers" to almost 400 middle schools, high schools, junior colleges and universities throughout the state. The books were placed in the schools' libraries for use by students researching the subject of problem gambling. For more information, call 601-981-0878.
