We can’t emphasise enough the importance of the proposal from Rise Life Management Services to introduce a subject dedicated to under-age gambling prevention in the school curriculum.

For over 30 years the non-governmental organisation has made its imprint on thousands of lives in communities across Jamaica, providing life-changing skills, education, mentoring, and counselling for at-risk populations. Now, having noticed a problem with under-aged gambling, it has partnered with guidance counsellors and the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission to propose curriculum intervention.

According to the Jamaica Child and Adolescent Gambling Survey 2007, conducted on behalf of Rise Life, a growing gambling problem exists among young people between 10 and 19 years old.

The study said one out of every five adolescents between 10 and 19 years old is either a problem gambler or is at risk of becoming one. Additionally, children were spending up to $13,000 at gaming establishments and $10,000 on horse racing over a six-month period.

Gambling is often seen as a quick way to earn money, and the rise of online platforms has made it more accessible. Yet, despite evidence of an issue, our officials have remained maddeningly slow to respond.

Head of the Guidance Counselling Unit at St George’s College, Ms Lorrie-Ann Vernal, said it is imperative for schools to accept that childhood gambling is an issue which needs to be addressed, even as “there are schools in denial just to save face, which really does not help”.

“It is past time that they recognise the urgency of integrating education about these behaviours into our school curriculum as a critical, non-negotiable step in protecting our future generations,” Ms Vernal said.

Rise Life Programme Manager Mr Richard Henry, in petitioning for the introduction of the programme, said that it will aid in keeping students who are not gambling away from gambling.

What this newspaper suggests is that policy-makers don’t just stop at gambling, but add other maladaptive behaviours, like substance abuse and digital addiction, to the curriculum. These behaviours are no longer fringe problems. Substance abuse is often glamorised in popular culture, making it appealing to impressionable minds. The normalisation of these behaviours poses a significant risk to the mental, emotional, and social development of our children.

Integrating education about these behaviours into the national curriculum will serve not only as a preventive measure, but also as a tool for empowering young people with the knowledge to make informed decisions.

Education is the most powerful tool for prevention. Children need to be taught not just the immediate consequences of these behaviours, but also the long-term impacts on their health, relationships, and future opportunities. Education can equip students with the critical thinking skills they need to resist peer pressure and make choices that align with their long-term well-being, and also empower them to recognise the signs of these behaviours in themselves and others.

Every day that passes without a comprehensive strategy in place is another day our youth are left vulnerable. This is not just about adding a few lessons to the curriculum; it is about taking a stand for our children’s future.