MARCH GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH- Governor John Bel Edwards, along with Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins and Mayor Lo Walker of Bossier joined in a proclamation yesterday officially making the month of March “Problem Gambling Awareness Month” in Louisiana. The event took place yesterday at the CORE Center of Recovery located at 935 Stoner Avenue in Shreveport. Approximately 4 to 6 million adults in the U.S. are estimated to meet criteria for having a gambling addiction. And with March Madness around the corner, experts agree this month shows a spike in sports gambling.
"This is a hidden, almost invisible addiction. People are walking around as family and friends who have it, suffering and struggling and not able to talk," explained Janet Miller, Executive Director for the La. Association on Compulsive Gambling . "I say let's us talk about it, let's us who may not have the problem or the addiction but that we bring it up. And that we remind them there's treatment all over Louisiana free and at no cost to you."
If you’d like more information about the kinds of free services that CORE provides and would like to locate help in your area, Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline is (877) 770-STOP / (877) 770 – 7867 or you can go to the website HelpForGambling.org. All inquiries will be kept confidential.
