Sudbury Northern Life
Seven young leaders from the Comité des jeunes of CSCS met
over a period of eight weeks to identify youth issues and
stigmas related to gambling. Together they brainstormed an
effective prevention message for the community of Sudbury. With
their vision, a billboard was created and unveiled at a
ceremony Dec. 9. The group says that gambling is a particularly
important issue that needs to be brought to the community's
attention. In its research they found a prevalence study
conducted by the Responsible Gambling Council in Ontario that
indicates the following:
- Young adults 18 to 24 years-old still have the highest
prevalence of problem gambling. (6.9 per cent experiencing
moderate to severe problems, compared to 3.4 per cent among the
general adult population).
- Online gambling has increased from 1.4 per cent to 5.5 per
cent among 18 to 24- year-olds from 2001-2005.
- Adolescent prevalence rates of problem gamblers are reported
to be approximately two to four times that of adults.
The YMCA Youth Gambling Awareness Program is a prevention and
education program designed to reduce the potential harm
associated with youth gambling. The program addresses the needs
of people aged eight to 24, and those who influence and work
with youth. It is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health
Promotion through the YMCA.
For more information about this program contact Rebecca Megyesi
at 688-7300 ext 3299, or e-mail
[email protected]
