Proceedings of the Interprovincial Think Tank of Youth and Gambling : October 21-22, 1999, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Files
Date
2000
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC)
Abstract
Like the three interprovincial conferences before it, the Interprovincial Think Tank (IT) was rooted in the need to enhance understanding of gambling and problem gambling as it relates to the day-to-day work and personal experiences of Think Tank participants. From the beginning, our collective mandate has been to address problem gambling, and in doing so we have created opportunities to do two important things: share our knowledge and experiences; and broaden the base of understanding in the wider community. During this process, we have learned from each other as well as from the community at large. This ITT was a continuation of the exchange and the learning. For this Think Tank, the Planning Committee set i t s sites on the topic of youth and gambling. The need to explore this topic stems from three key realities. First, there is a public, political and interest-group expectation that the needs of youth be addressed in the context of problem gambling.
Second, while prevalence data exist, there is uncertainty among those working in the problem gambling area about the meaning of the data.
And third, uncertainty also exists around the importance of problem gambling as an issue for youth and of youth gambling as an issue for
society. The proceedings of this ITT were not developed as a "blueprint for action." Rather, they are intended to provide information that will guide people as they work in their communities and collaboratively develop
plans to address youth and problem gambling issues. As the reader will see, these proceedings accomplish this goal. They reveal
the richness and diversity in the details that emerged as participants expressed their views and described their experiences in response to the discussion questions. While several themes around the topic of youth and gambling became defined, it was the diversity of the participants' perspectives that drove the conference towards its conclusion: no single
formula can be presented to address the youth gambling issue across different communities. Instead, communities need to implement the
strategies and approaches that make sense for them. The information garnered from this Think Tank will help to guide discussion and action
across the country towards this end. It is evident that this Think Tank and the previous conferences have laid a strong foundation for continuing the country-wide exchange on problem
gambling. The committee expresses its gratitude to the sponsors of this event as well as to all participants. The Think Tank would not have been the success it was without the energy, sense of humour and candidness of all those who took part.
Description
Keywords
Teenage gamblers -- Canada -- Congresses, Gambling -- Canada -- Congresses