Letter: Gambling addiction prevention programs are needed for middle school students

Friday, Jan. 9, 1998 | 10:51 a.m.

A recent Louisiana State University survey of 12,066 sixth- through 12th-grade students found that approximately 86 percent of the students had gambled. Dr. James Westphal, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry, said it is clear that prevention programs are needed, and they must start in middle school, earlier than researchers had suspected.

Approximately 24 percent of the students said they'd played video poker, 66 percent indicated they gambled on scratch-off lottery tickets and about 32 percent had played Lotto.

Dr. Westphal also believes that since gambling starts so innocently -- "I'll bet you a soda the Bulls will win" -- that it is probably the gateway to all other addictions. We tell our children not to drink, do drugs or smoke, but we don't discourage them from innocent betting. Perhaps if we can prevent our children from starting to gamble, we can cut down on drug, alcohol and tobacco consumption as well.

Each year, many children are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, but few parents are warned that there is a direct correlation between the disorder and addiction. Addiction doesn't result from an unhappy life, but from chemical imbalances, neurological or psychological problems.

Kim Roman Glen Burnie, Md.