Eugene (KMTR) - With a $3 (b)illion budget shortfall looming over the next two years Oregon lawmakers are looking to cut 30% from the budget of every state agency. That includes help for problem gamblers. People who run those programs and use those services say legislators are gambling with families futures.
In Lane County the services are run by Emergence. They have about 150 clients at any given time and hold support groups and help people make financial plans to get back on track. Emergence also runs the statewide gambling help line that gets about 6,000 calls a year. They also do gambling prevention education in local schools.
Program director Michele Tantriella-Modell says wiping out their programs would carry major social costs.
“What is big about it is the devastation it causes to families...financial devastation, emotional devastation the lack of trust. People end up losing jobs, end up divorced and have foreclosures and bankruptcies.” Tantriella-Modell said.
Untreated problem gambling has been linked to higher risks for divorce, depression and suicide.
About $12 (m)illion is dedicated to gambling treatment and prevention programs in Oregon. 1% of state lottery funds supports that. Emergence believes that if the state is going to promote the lottery and make money off of it then it's their responsibility to provide treatment for the section of the population that can't walk away from it.
