5 months ago
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Members of the lottery's legislative panel Thursday approved $200,000 dollars in state money to fund a gambling addiction program.
Arkansans make more than 300 calls each month to a national addiction hotline. Even though only about 30 or so need treatment, the state is stepping in to start a program here, anticipating an increase in problem gamblers when the lottery starts.
"Probably the biggest problem is for the elderly. This helps occupy their time and if one to three percent become addicted then, because their on a fixed income that will cause some real problems," said Sonny Ferguson, DHS Director of Treatment Services.
DHS is working to set up the treatment program. Ferguson says a comprehensive statewide network won't be available for about two years after the lottery starts.
"There have been four areas identified with high levels of problem gamblers," he said. "And that's the northwest corner of the state including forth smith Little Rock, Hot Springs and we feel like West Memphis with the race track being there will be some problems so we are going to start treatment services in those five areas to start with."
Currently only one counselor in the state is certified to handle gambling addiction.
Numbers in 2006 from the National Council on Problem Addiction reports that 21,197 Arkansans have serious gambling problems. DHS expects that number to go up 1 to 3 percent once the lottery starts.
The program will certify 30 new counselors, establish treatment centers across the state and a research arm to keep an eye on the disorder many in the health world believe is a serious medical problem.
"For Arkansans, this is another addiction that's going to be a problem in our state and this gives them the ability to access the services that they'll need," said Ferguson.
The department of human services expects a 1-800 number hotline to be ready by October first, along with some trained staff in parts of the state. Some treatment services will be ready by November. It will all be paid for with unclaimed prize money from the lottery.
For help with gambling addiction visit: Gambleranonymous.org
Local Help:
Little Rock: Second Presbyterian Church
Monday night at 7 p.m.
1-877-770-STOP
Forth Smith: Miller Public Library on 48th Street
Bella Vista: Bella Vista Community Church
75 East Lancashire Blvd.
