The Times Advocate, 2006-11-29, Page 3232
TIMES—ADVOCATE
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Drama shows students the risks of gambling
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — Students at South. Huron. District High
School recently learned about the detrimental effects of
gambling.
Performers with the Responsible Gambling Council, an
independent, non-profit organization, presented "house
of cards," a half-hour drama that shows the potential
risks and negative aspects of poker and online gambling.
Statistics from the Responsible Gambling Council state
that young adults aged 18-24 have the highest rates of
gambling problems in Ontario, more than double the
provincial average.
Tour director and project co-ordinator Sasa Jurko said
over one third of high school students are playing poker
for money and "house of cards" was designed to give
relevant information to students in an entertaining way.
The play, inspired by students, tells the story of a uni-
versity student, Finn, who gets into deep financial trou-
ble by his increasing gambling problem. His grades and
relationships are affected and his problem eventually
leads to theft.
In the end, he is persuaded by his brother and friends
to seek counselling.
The play was followed by a discussion between stu-
dents and the actors.
Gail Hither of Huron Addiction Services said she feels
gambling is a problem with students, particularly since
"Texas Hold 'Em" became so popular. She said students
will also gamble on sports and "feel a surge of excite-
ment" by gambling.
Huber said adults who have gambling problems rou-
tinely say they first started gambling when they were
between eight and 10 years old.
I-Iuber is available for counselling to all schools in the
county.
Jurko said this is the seventh season the Responsible
Gambling Council has toured the province. A new
drama is written every year and a half and 140,000 stu-
dents have seen their shows so far.
Responsible Gambling Council director of prevention
programs Laurie Bell said in a press release, "When
young adults are out on their own for the first time, they
may be at increased risk to develop a gambling problem
because they don't know the risks or fully understand
Gambling addiction —The Responsible Gambling Council recently performed a drama at South Huron District
High School to warn students about the potential risks of poker and online gambling.A play called "house of cards"
told the story of Finn, a university student who runs into financial problems because of his gambling addiction.At
left, Finn (Mike McDonald) learns from his music teacher Julie (Tracey Hilderley) that the cheque he wrote her
bounced. At right, from left are actors Jordan Gatto, Sasa Jurko and Hilderley. (photos/Scott Nixon)
Students tested — Several students from Exeter Karate performed in a grading recently to try for their next level.
From left are Sensei Jeff Balsdon and Sensei Trudee Balsdon with Max Schaap, Lestari Aji (Fang) and Blake Irons who
obtained the rank of Orange, while obtaining the rank of second kyu Brown are Kelsy Long, Jennifer Howard and
Kevin Howard with Sensei Don Carey and Sensei Ron Walker. Gradings happen about once every four months and
students appear before a grading panel to perform their required katas and self defenses. Classes are twice a week, all
year long. Exeter Karate is also pleased to announce that Carla Long has successfully obtained the rank of Shodan,
First Degree Black.After watching her kids enjoy the karate classes, Carla decided to enroll herself in the class in the
fall of 1997. Her dedication to Exeter Karate and the training has paid off. Her ceremony will take place on Dec. 3 at
2 p.m. at Exeter Public School. Exeter Karate has been operating out of the South Huron Rec Centre for over 20
years.Throughout that time, the dub has produced approximately 10 black belts, four of them under the instruction
of Sensei Jeff Balsdon. Long is the second female black belt to come out of Exeter Karate, the first being Sensei
Trudee Balsdon.Anyone wanting more information can call the South Huron Rec Center at 235-2833 or Balsdon at
392-7022. (photo/submitted)
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the odds. Younger adults are much more likely to see
poker or online gambling as a way to make money. This
kind of distorted thinking can be a real setup for a gam-
bling problem.
Signs of problem gambling may include:
• thinking more and more about the game;
• skipping classes or work to gamble;
• spending more money or time than intended;
• spending more money to win back money that has
been lost;
• lying to family and friends about gambling;
• expecting to make money from gambling. Hope to
win, expect to lose.
Some of the following strategies are discussed with
students about avoiding the risks:
• set limits on your time and take frequent breaks;
• set a limit on the money that you spend and stick to
it;
• use money you can afford to lose, not money for
things such as textbooks, rent or food;
• balance gambling with other activities;
• never borrow money to gamble;
• don't use gambling as a way to make money.
For more information, visit www.responsiblegam-
bling.org or call the Ontario Problem Gambling Help line
at 1-888-230-3505. Huron Addiction Services can be
reached at (519) 482-3416, ext. 2275.
WORLDS APART �10Aa�g
UNDERSTANDING 00
THE YOUTH CULTURE tAtat t h�S ?IWO
the Huron County Health Unit A.(1�1 ��-'-fl
December 6, 2006
6:00 - 8:00 p.m_
For more information call Sherri
or Erica (42519-482-3416 or email
sbezaire@ huroncounty.ca
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