Gambling addiction does not seem to spare even Singapore citizens. The Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan contended that extra measures will be undertaken to decrease the apparently thriving gambling addiction in the country. One of such measures presupposes the launch of community addiction program at the Institute of Mental Health.
Dr. Balakrishnan maintained that since it is highly unlikely that everybody would need to be subjected to specialized treatment, there is a need to establish counseling facilities at the community level. He is however, aware that even a myriad of treatment programs wouldn’t eradicate the gambling vices entirely, since the major responsibility to put an end to it lies on the Singapore public. Dr. Balakrishnan raised a peculiar proposal to cultivate in people what he called a ‘temptation resistance’, so that they are proofed from the gambling temptation.
Though the announcement on the casino is only few weeks away, the Cabinet has to make the final decision on this regard and there are still several meetings to attend to. Dr. Balakrishnan is confident, however, that regardless of whether a casino is built, gambling addiction would be tackled.
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| Source: Gamblingsmart news Staff
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Tuesday, 5 April 2005 |