by Karen Sicher, Council Special Projects Assistant
On May 6, 2011, the Council held an event entitled, “An Integration of Services Summit; Preventing, Intervening and Treating Gambling Disorders with Active Duty Military/Veteran Personal” at the Wellesley National Guard Center.
The Summit was the result of the Council’s work to reach out to populations at high-risk for developing problems with gambling. Two veterans who served in Iraq attended, as did attendees from the Department of Veteran’s Services, the Bedford Veteran’s Association, the Statewide Head Injury Program, the Massachusetts Department of Pubic Health, and representatives from treatment centers: Steppingstone in Fall River, LUK in Fitchburg and Community Care Services in Attleboro and Taunton.
One of the issues addressed was isolation and how both gambling and substance use can become problematic due to feelings of isolation on military bases. In fact, it was discussed that slot machines net about $200 million a year from gambling on military bases. In addition, the Council learned that many National Guard and service people return to the U.S. with tax-free money that they often spend at casinos. Yet, no federal funds are spent on problem gambling.
Services available to active military and veterans are provided through Chapter 115 benefits, SAVE program, Women Veteran’s Outreach Program, Veteran’s Affairs Counseling, Military OneSource, VET Center, and a Veteran’s Affairs Suicide Prevention Hotline.
At the end of the day, everyone who attended the Summit expressed that they felt there was a need to continue to research the prevalence and affects of problem gambling, and to find solutions to help military personal experiencing problems gambling, as well as other addictions.
A second summit has been scheduled for the fall. If you are interested in attending, please contact Council Special Projects Assistant, Karen Sicher at karens@masscompulsivegambling.org / 617-426-4554.
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