By ALAN HOSKINS
The week of March 3-9 has officially been proclaimed “Problem Gambling Awareness Week” on the Kansas City Kansas Community College campus.
KCKCC President Dr. Doris Given signed a proclamation partnering the College with the Northeast Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force in its mission to raise awareness of and provide the education to individuals, families and communities to reduce the harmful effects of problem gambling.
Noting that problem gambling is a public health issue affecting tens of thousands of Kansans of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds in all communities at significant societal and economic cost, the proclamation emphasizes that nonetheless problem gambling is “treatable and treatment is effective in minimizing the harm to both individuals and society as a whole.”
It is also emphasized that numerous individuals, professional and organizations are dedicated to the education of the public about problem gambling and the availability and effectiveness of treatment.
Representatives of three such service organizations attended the proclamation signing – Andrica Wilcoxen, Coordinator of KCKCC’s Outreach and Prevention program; Hillary Unrein, Problem Gambling Specialist for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services; and Dr. Thomas Hall, chair of the Northeast Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force and coordinator of KCKCC’s Addiction Counseling program.
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PHOTO: KCKCC President Dr. Doris Givens signs a proclamation making the week of March 3-9 Problem Gambling Awareness Week on the KCKCC campus. Looking on are (from left) Dr. Thomas Hall, chair of the Northeast Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force; Hillary Unrein, Problem Gambling Specialist with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services; Andrica Wilcoxen, KCKCC Outreach and Prevention Coordinator; and Cathy Francisco, a student in the KCKCC Addiction Counseling Program. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)
