March 1999

On a Personal Note...

by Kathleen Porter, Gambling Program Manager

On October 19, 1998, Kathleen Porter assumed responsibility for the Compulsive Gambling Program, part of the Minnesota Department of Human Services' Mental Health Division. Before taking on this new role, Kathleen worked closely with Jay Bambery, former manager of the program. Kathleen has spent the last few months visiting contracted compulsive gambling treatment programs throughout the state. She also visited the Minnesota Institute of Public Health, which holds the current contract for statewide public awareness and education and for the 24-hour Hotline, and the Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling, which is under contract to provide awareness education to adolescents. In addition, she has contacted a number of other states to learn about their compulsive gambling programs as well as to share our experience. I know that Kathleen will continue to advance the work that has been started in the area of prevention and treatment of compulsive gambling.

The rest of this article is devoted to Kathleen's thoughts about her site visits, contacts to other states, and her goals for the coming year. Please join me in welcoming Kathleen to her new position. -Sharon Autio, Director, Mental Health Division

Since assuming my current position, I have conducted site visits to the six state-funded outpatient gambling treatment programs throughout the state. These programs are staffed with compassionate professionals helping clients with an illness that is increasingly recognized as a serious problem. While most individuals gamble as a pleasurable recreational activity, I attended group therapy sessions and heard the "war stories" of the problem gambler. They will bet until nothing is left. Gambling becomes a release from reality and gives them an illusion of control. When their debts get too big, a cycle begins where more gambling appears to be the only solution. The illusion is that they will win, and then stop. As the trust of family members diminishes, skilled professionals are necessary to recognize the compulsive gambler's problem and to support him/her and family members in the recovery process.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) also funds public awareness and education about problem gambling throughout the state, operates the Minnesota Compulsive Gambling Hotline (1-800-437-3641), and a youth education and awareness program, with special attention to Hispanic youth.

My contacts with other states have produced interesting and useful information about how they are providing treatment for compulsive gamblers. I have also learned about their experiences with establishing standards and credentials for providers of compulsive gambling treatment. Many states are grappling with the same issues Minnesota is facing as we proceed with the development of professional standards for those interested in treating compulsive gamblers. We are indeed, fortunate to have the support of the Minnesota Lottery, which has consistently set aside a portion of lottery proceeds to help compulsive gambling.

One of my challenges for the coming year will be the expansion of the Southeast Minnesota pilot approach statewide project to treat compulsive gamblers as close to their home community as possible. A fee-for-service reimbursement methodology and criteria for eligible providers is being finalized. The goal of this expansion is to provide clients and their families with a range of available providers and treatment options.

Among the challenges and opportunities on the horizon for the coming year are: 1) Assuring there is a pool of qualified providers across the state to treat individuals who are compulsive gamblers; 2) Moving forward on establishing professional standards for providers; and 3) Targeting public awareness and education to special populations such as older Minnesotans, communities of color, and youth.

It is important to me to maintain ongoing communication as Minnesota addresses gambling problems. I welcome comments from you. You can contact me at 651-582-1819 or by e-mail at kathleen.porter @state.mn.us.

Gambling Problems Resource Center
2720 Highway 10
Mounds View, MN 55112
763-427-5310