VANCOUVER -- With so many lotteries, parents gambling, and poker now becoming almost a sport, addiction counsellors are concerned youth may be developing some bad habits that could turn them into problem gamblers. So counsellors are heading out to schools to get across some very important messages.
There's a lot of card games that goes on, there's many different ones and then it's easy to bet on if you're good.
One of the favourite card games is Texas Hold'em, a variation of poker popularized by celebrity matches on TV. The game is also on the internet.
Robby Carlson, Grade 11, says, "i do it when I'm bored. I don't have to do it. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't matter cause it's not real money."
Ian Cowan says, "You can choose to do it for money or not, I don't because I'm underaged."
While it may not be a problem now, it can quickly become one, especially if teens get a hold of their parent's credit cards to gamble online or steal to bet on games with friends.
In BC, About 5 percent of gamblers have gambling-related problems, but in youth between 18 and 24 years of age. The number is twice that, experts say people in this age group have higher rates of gambling and it seems they're most easily hooked.
Clarence Chan, Richmond Addiction Services' Addiction Councellor, says, "Unlike alcohol, drugs, they were taught it's not good for them but for gambling, they don't know about it, they don't know this can be an addiction."
To help raise awareness, Richmond Addiction Services staff are going into schools to get kids to teach other kids about problem gambling.
Jill Craven, Addiction Specialist, says, "we're not saying gambling is a problem, but there are times for many people when it becomes a problem."
A video produced by a group of Richmond High School students has an important message: know your limits:
Ian Cowan says, "you can lose all your money very fast, that's why you reallu got to be careful."
Brian Bjornsson says, "online can also be even worse because you just pay with your mastercard, so you're not actually thinking about putting money into the pot."
Warning signs of problem gambling include preoccupation: a loss of control that starts affecting daily activities. People may have difficulty concentrating at work or at school, they may not eat or sleep well. Parents may also notice emotional swings and their children spending much more time on the computer. If there is a problem, help is available through various addictions counselling services in the community.
Tuesday April 4, 2006
