Problem Gambling

It is important to recognize that most people can gamble without negative consequences. However, there are a small percentage of people who gamble and suffer enormous social, economic, and psychological implications. Individuals, families and communities all suffer from problem gambling and the costs go far beyond the money that is lost.

The Office of Substance Abuse is part of a Maine coalition that includes the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, the Gambling Control Board, Maine Council on Problem Gambling, and the Ad Care Educational Institute of Maine who are addressing this growing problem.

March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month

March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Governor John Baldacci will proclaim March 16-20, 2008 Maine Problem Gambling Awareness week. The goal of this campaign is to educate the general public and health care professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling and raise awareness about the help that is available both locally and nationally.

Some initiatives will occur during this week to raise awareness to the issue of problem gambling in the State of Maine:

There will be a number of public service announcements and paid advertisements helping the public become aware of the signs and dangers to problem gambling
A number of experts on Problem Gambling will make themselves available to the public to discuss the subject of problem gambling.
AdCare has constructed a training to be held in Portland called Exploring Gambling Across the Life Cycle
Presenter: Thomas E. Broffman, Ph.D., LICSW, LCDP. LCDS. CEAP
Date & Time: March 18, 2008 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Registration starts at 8:30 am)
Location: University of Southern Maine, University Events Room, Portland , ME ; for registration information: http://www.neias.org/SATAdcal.html#GAMBLING

Office INFORMATION

Problem Gambling

March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Problem Gambling