Lawmakers want gambling addiction education in public schools

John P. McAlpin

Monday, Oct. 2, 2000 | 2:38 a.m.

TRENTON, N.J. - Health class is supposed to teach all public school students the basics about sex, drug addiction and alcohol abuse.

Now kids might be learning about the dangers of compulsive gambling.

The state Senate voted Monday to put compulsive gambling education in the mandatory teaching standards for all public schools.

New Jersey lawmakers are already considering two measures that would allow compulsive gamblers to bar themselves from Atlantic City casinos.

Supporters say Monday's vote will help prevent gambling addiction before it begins.

Children are twice as likely to become problem gamblers than adults, according to Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

"It makes a lot of sense to teach them in school, just like we would about alcohol or drugs. You're just helping kids develop the defense mechanisms they need," Whyte said.

While many local districts across the country have such programs, New Jersey could be alone in mandating a statewide requirement, Whyte said.

"Clearly this is an issue that has not been addressed like this before," Whyte said.

Earlier state requirements asked public schools to simply include gambling addiction education in health classes.

If it becomes law, the bill would have the education commissioner consult the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey for sample learning activities and resources.

"We support the intent of the bill," Department of Education spokesman Richard Vespucci said.

Current teaching standards require that several types of compulsive behaviors be included in health classes, Vespucci said.

State education officials will review all standards in the core curriculum in May 2002, he said. The department does a review every five years.

The Senate voted 32-1 to send bill S-1240 to the Assembly. Seven senators did not vote.

Sen. John H. Adler, D-Camden, was alone in voting against the bill because he said state government should not be dictating to local schools what to include in every class.

"We tried to do this with sex education, we're talking about doing it with the Declaration of Independence, now we're doing it with compulsive gambling," Adler said.

"We should let the educators do their jobs," he said.

A bill that would require all public school students to recite a portion of the Declaration of Independence has passed the Senate and is before the Assembly.

Also before the Assembly is a bill that would allow gamblers to ask the state to ban them from casinos.

The state maintains a list of mobsters, cheats and others banned from the casinos. This bill would allow people to add themselves.

A similar measure is before the casino control commission.

Lawmakers say the classroom is the best place to fight the problem.

"Many students are not aware of the dangers associated with compulsive gambling. If we can provide them with the tools to recognize a problem, we also provide them with a solution and a means to seek help," sponsor Sen. Joseph A. Palaia, R-Monmouth said in a statement.