MEDIA ALERT: College Mini-Grant Program Expanding
H.Ed.G.E. Your Bets™ Program

This is the year that problem gambling is being recognized across the country as an emerging health issue on college campuses. The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators' (NASPA) Gambling Task Force published a report which provides seven clear recommendations for Student Affairs Professionals regarding problem gambling.* In addition, the National Center for Responsible Gaming's Task Force on College Gambling Policy recommends that colleges treat gambling as student health issue,** in the same way as it addresses alcohol.

The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) is prepared to meet the needs of CT colleges and universities with its H.Ed.G.E. Your Bets™ program (Higher Education Gambling Effects). Problem gambling awareness and prevention mini-grants will be offered to colleges and universities in Connecticut for the 4th consecutive year. The program provides the essential information, tools, funds, technical assistance, and resources, to colleges which they can apply to current Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drug (ATOD) prevention research and practice. Media are requested to click here to learn more about the program.

CCPG provides grantees with a comprehensive program that addresses problem gambling as both a unique disorder and one that co-occurs with ATOD and other mental health disorders. This program gives problem gambling the attention it needs at a time in students' lives when boredom, peer pressure, and a strong desire to win money contribute to the appeal of risky behaviors.

For questions regarding all aspects of the mini-grant program, or to discuss the Task Forces' recommendations, please contact Mary Drexler, MSW, at (203) 453-0138, or maryd@ccpg.org.

Please Include CCPG'S Problem Gambling Helpline Number in Gambling Stories:
1-800-34 NO BET (1-800-346-6238), Free, Confidential, 24 Hours.

*McComb, J.L., & Hanson, W. E., (2009) Problem Gambling on College Campuses. NASPA Journal, Vol. 46, no. 1.
**Oskar Garcia, Associated Press Writer, courant.com, September 29, 2009