Students hear all sides of gambling story

Kicking off the day, actor John Dunsworth spoke about his gambling addiction to VLTs and the thousands of dollars he threw into the machines. Better known as Mr. Lahey from the hit-show Trailer Park Boys, Mr. Dunsworth engaged the students about the life decisions one takes and the positive aspects of making good, healthy choices.

Throughout the day two gambling awareness and education workshops also took place: one hosted by the YMCA’s Youth Gambling Awareness Coordinator, Bill Deluney and the other, an interactive gambling prevention presentation put on by Community Policing Coordinator, Constable Cormier. Mr. Deluney also had the chance to speak with North Queens students on Internet safety, understanding gambling, harm reduction strategies, and decision making.

Gambling prevention programs focus on awareness and education and the development of decision-making skills, coping strategies, asset development and critical thinking. Like any risk-taking behaviour awareness program, gambling awareness and education is needed for young adults as they become more and more exposed to gambling. Nova Scotia’s Health Promotion and Protection 2007 Adult Gambling Prevalence Study highlights the need for more gambling education as “adults 19 to 24 years of age are most likely to be at any level of risk for gambling problems, and these young adults in Nova Scotia are more likely than adults to be playing poker on a regular basis.”

Based on the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, “6.1% or 47,000 Nova Scotians gamble, wagering about $1.5 billion in 2007 on VLTs, lottery tickets, and other gambling activities.”

For the past two years The Queens Community Health Board – along with all other CHBs in the province – has received a grant from the Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation to initiate a gambling awareness project in Queens County. This grant made the three gambling components of the youth wellness day possible and has helped fund the QCHB’s initiatives to increase Queens County community members’ gambling awareness and education.