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Prevention of Problem Gambling
November 1999, Vol II, Issue 11

*A Monthly Newsletter on Problem Gambling Prevention Information, Research, and Initiatives*

"No progress has ever been made against an epidemic by treating only the casualties."

GAMBLING: REDUCING THE RISKS A PREVETION OF PROBLEM
GAMBLING PROGRAM OF SASKATCHEWAN HEALTH

Saskatchewan Health, a human services organization in Saskatchewan, Canada, with assistance from Saskatchewan Education, has created a problem gambling prevention program for schools entitled Gambling: Reducing the Risks. The program is overseen by Leanne Fischer, Program Consultant for gambling prevention and public education programming of the province of Saskatchewan.

This resource is designed to supplement middle-level health education curricula in grades 6 through 9. The program provides teachers and students with information regarding gambling, teaches students about the risks associated with gambling, presents strategies that reduce the risks, and supports skill development that allows students to make healthy choices about gambling.

The program was pilot-tested, with a proportionate distribution of rural and urban school locations and male and female students. Gambling: Reducing the Risks was distributed in May of 1999 to over 1,000 Saskatchewan schools.

Resource materials consist of the following: a program manual, for teachers that provides instructional strategies and teaching notes; topic-related activities for group discussion; a videotape with short, open-ended clips for discussion after group viewing√£; and information on accessing helping resources. The program guidebook provides comprehensive information on youth as a high-risk target group, including specific information on:

reasons people gamble
definitions and descriptions of various types of gambling
signs of problem gambling in young people
consequences of problem gambling age restrictions for gambling
impact of problem gambling on families

Prevention of problem gambling concepts and strategies are presented at each grade level from 6 to 9. Information is progressive, with each of the 7th, through 9th grades' curriculum built upon the lessons of the previous year.

Each grade level has three Foundational and Learning Objectives:

(1) Extend Knowledge Base - Students understand that gambling involves both economic and social risks.

(2) Making Informed Decisions - Students determine and evaluate the risks involved in various gambling activities and explore and identify alternatives to high-risk behavior.

(3) Carry Out an Action Plan - Students participate in actions that reinforce decisions to reduce the risks of gambling.

Each grade explores a focus topic:

Grade 6 "Affirm Standards" - How a youth's family perceives gambling and the family's standards concerning gambling.

Grade 7 "Commit Self" - How youth relate to gambling on a personal level, including spending money on gambling and decision-making regarding current and future involvement in gambling.

Grade 8 "Support Peers" - The effects of gambling on youth and symptoms of problem gambling are identified to support peers in making responsible decisions regarding gambling.

Grade 9 "Promote Health" - Information on the social and economic impact of gambling in the community.

Local Problem Gambling Helplines

CT 800-346-6238
MA 800-426-1234
RI 877-9-GAMBLE
VT 888-822-8274