Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore's Minister of Health, is reportedly alarmed by the gambling addiction problem. In the previous year alone, the Community Addictions Management Program, or Camp, at IMH dealt with 100 cases of gambling addicts. Thus, he addressed the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) asking the organization to raise its standards to match other internationally renowned treatment centers.
The minister acknowledged that although such social problems can’t be completely avoided, as casinos are simply feeding the growing demand for gambling in Asia, the issue of gambling addition must be treated seriously. The minister was quoted as saying that Asians seem to be drawn to gambling more than residents of other regions. If this proves to be true, construction of merely one or two local treatment centers would not be enough.
An additional problem is the fact that only a very small number of staff members at IMH are properly trained to help addicted gamblers, so there is an urgent need for more professionals in this field. Camp 's management plans to expand and increase the program's potential, so many more people will have a place to turn to for help.
IMH plans to offer different services, such as therapy for both individuals and groups, counseling on legal and financial affairs and the prevention of further deterioration.
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| Source: GamblingSmart News Staff
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Friday, 22 April 2005 |
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