The Project Radical coalition met January 26, 2009 in the high school ICN room. Those in attendance were Mark and Ruthanne Niedert, Jim Thompson, Terry Plocher, Jessica Weber, Jane Stirler, Mike Studt, Becky Heeren and Beth Thompson. Jim Thompson from Allen Hospital Gambling Treatment and Prevention program presented to the coalition. Jim stated that Allen has had a gambling treatment and prevention program for 20 years. Jim worked at Covenant for 17 years as a substance abuse counselor. The Iowa Department of Public Health has recognized gambling as a health issue. The grant that funds gambling treatment and prevention comes from casino revenues. Problem gamblers cannot be in the same treatment groups as alcohol or substance abusers. What typically brings gamblers to treatment is financial problems. There is no help from health insurance for gambling treatment. Jim reported that 88% of adults gamble, 3% show signs and symptoms of problem gambling and 10%-20% show at-risk behaviors. There are 20 casinos in the State of Iowa. Gambling is the number one tourist attraction in the State of Iowa. Gambling is evenly split between male and female. Seventy percent of gamblers are over 65. Individuals know they have a problem when all they talk about is gambling. It is also a problem when gambling infringes upon work and relationships. Online gambling is not as gratifying to the gambler because there is no excitement in winning. All the gambling is done with a credit card. Offshore gambling, buying pornography, drugs and alcohol can all be part of the addiction cycle. There is only one Gambler’s Anonymous group in Waterloo/Cedar Falls. They use the twelve-step program. Those with mental illness issues such as manic depression may be drawn to gambling. The youth gambling population consists of males ages 14-22. It occurs on college campuses.

Our next Townhall meeting will be March 23. We discussed the format for the Townhall meeting. We also discussed being sure to include the fellowship of Christian Rebels. Coalition members also suggested boys from The Boy’s Training School in Eldora be asked to present. Mike Reeder from the Iowa Juvenile Home will be contacted again to have his students present. J.R. McGraw and his parents will also share their stories. An attorney will also be asked to present about the laws related to alcohol and drugs.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 24th because parent/teacher conferences will be held on Monday, Feb. 23rd. Jane reported that the middle school SADD will have a bake sale during parent/teacher conferences on Feb. 17th. The SADD lock-in will be held March 20-21. SADD will go to Adventureland on May 2nd.