February 11, 2014 (Rochester, NY) ─ DePaul’s National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Rochester Area (NCADD-RA) has received funding from the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) to increase the number of parents who are committed to talking to their children about the dangers associated with underage gambling in 2014.

NCADD-RA has been a partner with NYCPG on these efforts since the NY Council on Problem Gambling began awarding mini-grants to local providers for the purpose of reaching out to parents in 2012. The focus of the NYCPG’s 2014 Parent Outreach Project is getting parents to talk to their children about problem gambling.

Research surrounding youth gambling participation and parent responses show a significant gap in parental concern for youth gambling behavior and actual youth gambling problems.

• Problem gambling researchers Gupta and Derevensky found that approximately 68 percent of youth between the ages of 14 and 21 report having gambled in the last year, while 11 percent report having gambled twice per week or more (Welte, 2007).
• Unfortunately, research also shows that that less than half of parents ever discuss gambling issues with their teen and that only 13 percent of parents believe that their teen actually gambles for money (DECODE, 2009).

The NCADD-RA provides education, resources and referrals for family members affected by the problem gambling of a loved one. Presentations are available upon request to parent, school and community groups to increase awareness to the potential risks of problem gambling with special emphasis on the risks associated with underage problem gambling. To schedule a presentation or for more information contact Jennifer Faringer at (585) 719-3480 or jfaringer@depaul.org.

The mission of NCADD-RA is to provide research and evidence-based substance abuse and problem gambling prevention services to a diverse population through education, support, resources, advocacy and referral. Our staff works to positively influence the social norms which perpetuate the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and problem gambling.

The New York Council on Problem Gambling is a not-for-profit independent corporation dedicated to increasing public awareness about problem and compulsive gambling and advocating for support services and treatment for persons adversely affected by gambling. The Council maintains a neutral stance on gambling and is governed by a Board of Directors.

Tools for parents to discuss problem gambling with their children are available for free at DontBetYet.com. Find out more about the 2014 Parent Outreach Project at www.ncadd-ra.org and www.NYProblemGambling.org.