The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services today
announced a request for proposals (RFP) to operate a survey that will
examine problem gambling in New York State. The NYS Household Survey of
Problem Gambling will assess residents’ attitudes and behaviors
regarding gambling, health and wellness factors, and problem gambling
prevalence. It will also assess the co-occurrence of problem gambling
with substance use and mental health disorders. The RFP is available to
view here.
“With this survey, we are continuing our efforts to address problem
gambling across the state by examining the problem and pinpointing
solutions,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force.
“We want to make sure that all New Yorkers, particularly those
struggling with substance use and mental health disorders, are aware of
the behaviors of problem gambling and have the resources and services
they need to combat the issue and lead healthy
lifestyles.”
“New York State has made great strides in expanding and enhancing our
problem gambling resources in recent years, and we remain committed to
ensuring the necessary services are in place for all New Yorkers to
address this issue,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said.
“This survey will help us further assess where the need is greatest, by
giving New Yorkers an opportunity to have a voice in the services they
want to see implemented.”
Data obtained from NYS Household Survey of Problem Gambling will
assist OASAS in determining the best ways to continue to increase
community awareness about the warning signs and prevention of problem
gambling, as well as the placement of services based on population need.
OASAS is also in the process of finalizing the development of seven
problem gambling resource centers (PGRCs), which will coordinate
gambling resources in every region of the state. Four of these centers
are already operation, with the remaining three set to open by August.
These centers serve as central hubs for people to access prevention,
treatment, and recovery resources in their respective regions. The PGRCs
will build collaborative relationships with local gambling facilities
to provide information and referrals to people who identify as having a
gambling problem. More information about the PGRCs can be found here.
"As the sponsor of legislation (A.590), which would create a
statewide taskforce to evaluate the extent of problem gambling across
the state, I am pleased that OASAS has begun to develop a comprehensive
approach to identifying common risk factors and tackling problem
gambling head on. A multidisciplinary proposal is needed to enable the
State to tailor and target prevention and treatment options in the
communities that need them most," said Assembly member Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), Chair of the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
“This important survey will help us better understand the depth of
problem gambling in New York State and how we can better provide
assistance for those who are suffering,” said Senator Pete Harckham,
40th Senate District, Chair of the Senate Alcoholism and Substance
Abuse Committee. “Problem gambling often goes hand in hand with
substance abuse and I’m pleased that the survey will explore the
co-occurrence of problem gambling with substance use and mental health
disorders.”
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction,
or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling
the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY
(1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). For more information about problem gambling visit https://www.oasas.ny.gov/
Available addiction treatment including
crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be
found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.
Visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov to
learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on
how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations
with loved ones and communities about addiction. For tools to use in
talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit
the state’s Talk2Prevent website.
Source: The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
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