Youth & Gambling
2023 Problem Gambling Art Search Winners from Marion County: Charlie Olsher of Salem (top left) placed 1st place in Oregon! Kaleb Eder (top right), Zoe Martin (bottom left), Kristina Chuprov (bottom center), and Samuel Sandoval (bottom right) placed in the Top-11!
Kids and teenagers are exposed to gambling every day. All they have to do is turn on the TV to see poker tournaments, see ads online, download a mobile app, or walk into a mini-mart to see people buying lottery tickets. Even churches and schools often use gambling for fundraising. Gambling is everywhere. Teenagers are at an increased risk of gambling and developing a problem, therefore, education and prevention are essential.
2023-2024 Learning Opportunities for Students
Join the 2023-24 Art Search!
For the 2023-24 school year, Marion County is hosting a county wide art contest for middle school aged students to raise awareness of problem gambling. Join the art search as a class or home project! Top 12 winners will receive a recognition award and a gift card!
For more information contact Heidi Johnson hejohnson@co.marion.or.us
The 2023 Art Search Winners
Congratulations to our winners last year, their artwork can be seen at the top of this page. Our Health Promotion and Prevention Team is very proud! A special thank you to over 100 participating artists and teachers who help make this contest happen.
We cannot do this without our wonderful teachers!
2023 Video Contest Winners!
In May 2023, Marion County Health Promotion & Prevention and Polk County Family & Community Outreach hosted a teenage video contest to increase awareness about mental health from the perspective of youth. The contest asked teens to create a video to promote healthy alternatives to substance use, prevent adverse behaviors, or prepare for environmental emergencies. Chueck out the 2022-23 winning teams below! For previous year winners, head to our YouTube Page
"There's Always Help" by Leah Anderson, Alex Gauthier, Zach Harrington, and Tyler Koenig from McNary High School. Their video follows a couple in need of help with problem gambling and finding it by reaching out to a counselor for actionable steps to make lifestyle changes.
"Healthy Alternatives to Substance Abuse" by Mica Tonnsen and Ash Smith from Central High School. Their video portrays a peer pressure scenario, discusses facts, and healthy alternatives to drug use.
"Stall Call" by Brodi Maxwell, Alexander Cotton, Moses Vasquez, and Diego Piceno from McNary High School. Their video follows an athlete who struggles with a vape addiction and seeks help through a counselor and peers.
Why should we be concerned about teen gambling?
2019 Oregon Adolescent Problem Gambling Fact Sheet
- About 1 in 4 teens gamble in a typical month
- Teens who gamble have higher rates of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use, as well as suicidal ideation, when compared to non-gambling teens
- Gambling opportunities are increasingly widespread, and are available on the internet, on mobile apps, and in new lottery games
- Many people experiencing a gambling disorder report having started gambling as a teenager
- About 2.2% of Oregon teens struggle with problem gambling or gambling disorder
- Youth can hide gambling problems well, as there aren't any outward physical signs, such as those associated with drinking or taking drugs
11th Grade Student Gambling & Substance Use Graphic
11th Grade Student Gambling & Mental Health Graphic
Educator and Parent Resources
Problem gambling prevention efforts are meant to supplement current classroom activities, not to add more work! Here are some resources for parents and teachers to prevent youth gambling:
-
Additional Information: Oregon Problem Gambling Services
-
Student Health Survey Data:
2020 Oregon Health Authority Student Health Survey Data
-
Guest Speakers:
- A Marion County Health Educator provides an interactive, one or multi-day presentation to students about youth gambling prevention
- A Marion County Health Educator provides a specialized presentation to educators, administrators, and parent groups
-
Art Contest: The Oregon Problem Gambling Art Contest is a statewide competition between middle school students put on every March. Middle school health and art classes submit student artwork. Twelve winners are selected statewide to be featured in the Oregon Problem Gambling Awareness Calendar.
-
Curriculum: Problem gambling components that "plug-in" to existing substance abuse prevention curriculum
-
Technical Assistance: Evidence-based educational resources and technical assistance
-
Additional Resources: Contact the Marion County Prevention Team at MCHDPrevention@co.marion.or.us
Treatment
