Dear Editor,

Please permit me space to highlight a programme that we at RISE Life Management Services believe to be positive for Jamaica amidst all the negativity of late. RISE is one of only two entities islandwide that provides structured support services for individuals with gambling-related issues with the other being Gamblers Anonymous which meets at Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory School.

The Programme for the Prevention, Treatment and Research of Problem Gambling in Jamaica is sponsored by the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission and has been in existence for the past five years. Through this programme, RISE was able to commission the first and only study ever done on gambling in Jamaica to date – The Jamaica Child and Adolescent Gambling Survey 2007.

RISE has designated this week, April 10 to 16, as Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, the first of its kind in Jamaica. For the week RISE has partnered with Supreme Ventures Limited to initiate training with staff members located at each of its gaming lounges. Note well that within other jurisdictions with more advanced gambling industries, all staff members within casinos must have training in understanding the fundamentals of problem-gambling related issues as mandated, for example, by the American Gaming Association in their efforts to promote responsible gambling. This training is not only for the benefit of those patrons who may develop gambling-related issues but for the staff members themselves who represent a vulnerable group, given the intense gambling environment in which they work.

RISE would like to share that the international data show that most people who gamble do not develop gambling-related problems (90 – 95 per cent), but the 1-5 per cent who do must have the requisite services to get well.

Supreme Ventures Ltd has taken the responsible social and corporate position aimed at providing support for those who are vulnerable to developing gambling-related problems, that is, youth under the legal age to gamble. Research demonstrates that underage gambling is a significant issue, as the earlier one becomes involved with addictive behaviour there is an increased likelihood that the addictive behaviour will be carried into adulthood.

Supreme Ventures Ltd must be commended for their proactive approach to providing assistance to RISE through the sponsorship of our Adolescent Gambling Prevention All Island Poster Competition, now in its third year of creating greater awareness of the ills of underage gambling for adolescents all across Jamaica.

Finally, RISE must acknowledge the National Health Fund which sponsors our Substance Abuse-related prevention and treatment programme which allows us to integrate our training with guidance counsellors islandwide as they address both gambling and substance abuse issues in schools. I hope that this letter demonstrates some very good programmes that are happening within Jamaica through meaningful collaboration between NGOs, statutory bodies and the private sector.

Richard Henry

Programme Manager, Counselling Services

RISE Life Management Services

57 East Street, Kingston

rise@cwjamaica.com