Missouri Launches Youth Addiction Awareness Program
A new education program recently launched in Missouri teaches youths about the hazards of addictions. Building upon a statewide responsible gaming awareness campaign, "All Bets Off" takes a hands-on approach to curb underage gambling.
The educational seminar presents middle-school students with the facts about addictions and their risk factors to deter them from participating in potentially harmful activities, including gambling. In addition to youth education, the program raises awareness among educators and parents of the dangers of addictive behavior as well as the effects that this behavior can have on loved ones.
"All Bets Off," sponsored by the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling and funded by the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association, responds to a finding of the National Gaming Impact Study Commission (NGISC) that the number of youths at risk of becoming problem gamblers is more than double that of adults.
"The NGISC's final report was a primary factor in developing the alliance's youth awareness program in Missouri," said Shelly Perez, problem gambling program coordinator for the Missouri Lottery and a spokesperson for the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling. "We're trying to be proactive with kids – teaching children about the hazards of gambling addiction with an eyes-wide-open approach."
Presented by the Second Chance Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Jefferson City, Mo., that also conducts youth seminars on respectfulness and self-esteem, "All Bets Off" combines classroom and role-playing elements.
According to Perez, the children who participate in "All Bets Off" respond positively to the program. "The children really see how addictions can affect everyone," Perez said.
Another goal of the program is to raise awareness of the help-line number – 1-800-BETSOFF – and the availability of treatment for gambling disorders, not only in Missouri but also nationwide.
