South Carolina Observes Problem Gambling Awareness Week
Rock Hill, SC (PRWEB) March 9, 2006
Governor Mark Sanford proclaims March 6-12 as “Problem Gambling Awareness Week” in South Carolina.
“Problem gambling is a public health issue that has a significant societal and economic impact on all residents of the Palmetto State,” Governor Sanford stated in his proclamation.
During National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, communities across the nation work to raise awareness about this growing addiction, its consequences to individuals, families, employers and society, as well as to send the message that confidential treatment is available.
“The citizens of South Carolina need to know the warning signs of problem gambling. Families need to know that pathological gambling, also known as compulsive gambling, is an addiction, not just a bad habit, and that help is available,” said Toni McNulty, Executive Director of PGCOSCI. She added, “Excessive gambling in any form, whether it’s scratch-offs, sports betting, or bingo, can become pathological gambling that destroys a gambler’s ability to think rationally and threatens the well-being of families.”
With the increased popularity of card games like Texas Hold’em, and widespread access to the Internet, the incidence of problem gambling is increasing rapidly, especially among young people.
If you, or someone you know, answers “yes” to any of these questions, call a gambling helpline before the situation gets any worse:
*Lose time from work or school due to gambling?
*Gamble more money than you can afford to lose?
*Borrow money to gamble, or to cover debts because of gambling?
*Exaggerate gambling winnings, and/or lie about gambling losses?
*Promise to stop gambling, but find yourself gambling anyway?
*Spend a lot of time thinking about gambling or ways to get money to gamble?
Funds from the South Carolina Education Lottery assist in funding gambling addiction services in South Carolina. These services are administered by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, who operate a hotline at 1-877-452-5155, and can refer problem gamblers to a counselor in their area.
The Problem Gambling Council of South Carolina, Inc. is a Rock Hill-based nonprofit corporation whose mission is to generate awareness, promote education, and advocate for quality treatment of problem gambling in South Carolina. Representatives are available to speak to schools, churches, social or service organizations, and other interested parties. More information is available at http://www.pgcosci.org.
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You may have not intended to do so, but I think you have managed to express the state of mind that a lot of people are in. The sense of wanting to help, but not knowing how or where, is something a lot of us are going through.