03/11/2003

By WILLIAM McCALL, Associated Press Writer

At least 40 percent more Oregonians sought treatment for problem gambling last year than the previous year, according to a new state study.

The increase for the 12-month period between July 2001 and June 2002 could mean that prevention efforts are reaching more people who need them, or just that more Oregonians are taking up gambling, officials said.

Jeff Marotta, the problem gambling services manager for the Oregon Department of Human Services, said the study shows the state's treatment programs are reaching their intended targets.

"I think our state walks a fine line when, on one hand we advertise the Lottery and then on the other hand we say, if you do this, it may become an addictive habit and it may require treatment," said state Sen. Charlie Ringo, D-Beaverton, who has led an effort to give the Legislature more control over the Oregon Lottery.

The report for the state by the Wilsonville-based consulting firm of Herbert & Louis also showed 1,380 people enrolled in gambling problem programs for a record 34,000 hours of treatment during the period.

A follow-up survey 90 days after people left treatment indicated about three out of four found the help they needed to stop or reduce their gambling.

Marotta said the study is a test of new treatment programs the state has offered to shift the focus from case-by-case handling of severe gambling addiction to a broader public health approach of preventing addiction or at least recognizing a problem quickly, before it becomes serious.

"By using this public health approach, people are becoming more aware of the issue of problem gambling and are able to identify it," Marotta said.

The Oregon prevention program already is considered a national model, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling in Washington, D.C.

"It's more ethical and economical to catch them before they jump off a cliff rather than waiting at the bottom of the cliff and trying to pick up the pieces," Whyte said of problem gamblers.

By law, 1 percent of state Lottery net proceeds go into a treatment fund that now totals about $3.2 million. The fund supports 17 regional problem gambling prevention programs, 30 outpatient programs, three short-term residential programs, one telephone counseling program and a toll-free problem gambling help line.

Gary Hanson, executive director of the Washington State Council on Problem Gambling, said the rate of gambling addiction appears to be relatively stable in states with treatment programs while it appears to be increasing in states without them.

He said Oregon funding exceeds Washington state and its programs are more extensive, but a pilot treatment program that began last November in Washington had already reached 40 percent of its total capacity only three months later.

Tim Christensen, president of the Association of Problem Gambling Service Adminstrators for state program managers, said the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pioneered treatment programs in the mid-1980s after studies showed alcohol and drug abuse problems were linked to gambling addiction.

He said other states are beginning to emphasize prevention because social attitudes about gambling have changed dramatically with state-sponsored lottery games, Indian casinos and the increased popularity of traditional gaming centers such as Las Vegas.

"It used to be that Las Vegas was 'sin city' and you went there to gamble," Christensen said. "And now Vegas has become a family destination."

Other findings in the Oregon report on problem gambling include:

-- The average age of problem gamblers in treatment was 43.4 years but male gamblers were generally younger than females, on average.

-- A quarter of problem gamblers said it cost them a marriage or other significant relationship.

-- Two out of five problem gamblers committed crimes to gamble or pay for gambling losses.

-- Fifteen percent lost their jobs as a result of gambling.

-- Ten percent said they considered suicide before entering treatment.

(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)