 |
Oklahoma Problem Gambling Programs Can't Find Problems
DURANT, OKLAHOMA --
The state of Oklahoma, like many other states, devotes some of the revenue it takes from casino gambling and earmarks the funds for treatment of compulsive gambling disorders. Unfortunately, or perhaps actually very fortunately, the programs have more money than problem gamblers on which to spend it.
According to an article released by The Oklahoman, over one-third of the money set aside to treat gambling compulsions is going unused. There are one hundred ten casinos in Oklahoma, and a total of two hundred forty-five gambling patrons sought help last year. During 2008, the state spent $143,000 to educate and treat gaming addicts.
Rather than praise themselves for doing a good job preventing problem gambling and release funds for use elsewhere, state bureaucrats did what always happens in a bureaucracy: insisted the problem was worse than known, and predicted a need for more money. Deputy commissioner Caletta McPherson of the state mental health department said she "knows there are numerous untreated addicts."
Wow, a politician who, faced with evidence her department is overfunded, asserts she knows better than what objective analysis reveals. Not a very scientific approach, but science tends to go out the window when funding is at risk.
Wiley Harwell, executive director of the Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling, says, the reason more people don't seek treatment is because the help phone numbers are not sufficently advertised. Of course, it is not permissible to suggest that the vast majority control their gambling; then what would a director of a problem gambling association do for a living?
Previous USA Casino News Articles
Post A Comment
|
 |
