Herkimer Group Gets State Award

ALBANY, 10/24/08 -- Catholic Charities of Herkimer County is in line for a $60,000 grant as part of a statewide effort to address gambling prevention, State Senator James L. Seward (R/I/C-Oneonta) announced today.

"It's unfortunate that problem gambling affects nearly 1 million adult and even adolescent New Yorkers," Seward said. "Ten percent of junior and senior high school students have admitted to problem gambling in the last year, so I am glad that Catholic Charities will be able to add this key component to its program."

The funding will pay for the organization's effort to integrate gambling prevention strategies in its existing chemical dependency curriculum, Seward said. The curriculum is presented to schools, parent-teacher organizations, retailers and law enforcement. Problem gambling jumps by 50 percent in communities within a 50 mile radius of a casino.

The funding is through the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and is part of a $702,000 state initiative to fund more than 30 gambling prevention programs.