~ In Memoriam of Ed Looney ~
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“There just isn’t anyone like “Ed” who advocates and helps many from the cunning addiction of gambling”
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“I didn’t meet past executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Ed Looney until 2007 when I read his article he had written about, “Children’s Gambling” for the “Casino Watch, the dark side of gambling.”
He had become ill, but I reached out to see if I could share his article on my very first gambling recovery blog I had started years ago on Simple Site. He was very sweet and granted me the permission to do so. I learned quickly he was an influential voice of programs for compulsive gamblers, a mentor and loud advocate. And a tireless advocate for those in recovery from the insidious disease of compulsive gambling to many.”
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“He was “one of a kind” and had done so much for many who were in recovery from this cunning addiction. My love, thoughts and prayers go out to his family and many friends. I was blessed to have known and correspond with him on several occasions. Through his exhausting efforts to help others, raise awareness, educate and inform the public of this dangerous addiction, Ed will be missed by many, including myself for years to come. He has left us a fantastic legacy on how to recover from this addiction” .. .. .. Author, Catherine Lyon of Addicted To Dimes
The New Jersey Star Ledger Says:
“Ed was instrumental in establishing and promoting the “1-800-Gambler” telephone number that appears on lottery tickets and billboards and can be heard on the radio and television. This simple message has been used to save countless lives over the past few decades. Ed became an expert on problem gambling and made many speaking engagements to conventions and organizations to spread the message of recovery. Ed served as the executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey and he worked with lobbyists and lawmakers to make sure funding was available for assistance for problem gamblers”
– See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?pid=177124226#sthash.cxwpuSbC.dpuf
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A Re-share of an Article Ed Looney wrote for “Casino Watch”:
CHILDREN’S GAMBLING
FACTS AND STATS
6/10/07
“We have an epidemic.”
Ed Looney, Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ
“It’s gambling–one of the
fastest-growing addictions among adolescents.
The National Council on Problem Gambling found
that teens with a gambling problem were more likely
to engage in risky behavior such as unsafe sex,
binge drinking and skipping school.
“Today more young people gamble once a week
than smoke, drink or take drugs combined.”
Gambling is “the most popular high-risk activity among teenagers,
outpacing drinking, taking drugs and smoking.
Adolescents with gambling disorders start at age 9.
• Children of compulsive gamblers are often
prone to suffer abuse, as well as neglect.
• Children of problem gamblers are at a
higher risk of developing health threatening
behaviors, including alcohol and drug abuse,
problem gambling, eating disorders,
depression, and suicide.”
Missouri Department of Mental Health
www.dmh.mo.gov/ada/facts/gambling.htm
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“Teenagers and young adults are the fastest-growing segment of addicts.”
4% OF OUR CHILDREN
ADDICTED TO GAMBLING
American Psychiatric Association
Annenberg National Risk Survey of Youth
Dr. C. Blanco: Columbia University Medical Center
J. Derevensky & R. Gupta of McGill University
ED LOONEY, NJ Council on Compulsive Gambling
Dalhousie University
Harvard Medical School
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Minnesota Institute of Public Health
National Council on Problem Gambling
M. Stone, Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling
Emily E. Wilson licensed psychologist
H. Wynne: Wynne Resources in British Columbia
“CHILDREN ADDICTED TO GAMBLING COMMIT
SUICIDE AND CRIMES. THEY FREQUENTLY OWE
MONEY TO MOB CONNECTED BOOKIES”
Children’s gambling debt can be over $10,000
Half of young people who gamble on the Internet weekly
display signs of problem gambling.
“CHILDREN ARE MURDERED BY PARENTS
WHO ARE GAMBLING ADDICTS!”
* * * Danger signs * * *
Indicators of possible gambling problem in students:
1...Unexplained absences from school
2...Sudden drop in grades
3...Change of personality (irritability, impatience, criticism or sarcasm)
4...Large amounts of money in students’ possession;
……bragging about winning or gambling
5...Does the student have an unusual interest in newspapers,
……magazines or periodicals having to do with sports or horse
……racing or lotteries?
6...Intense interest in gambling conversations
7...Exaggerated display of money or other material possessions
……(e.g., cars, clothes, jewelry)
8...Change in behavior (school absences, behavior problems)
9...Gambling language in his/her conversation (5-timer, 10-timer,
……bookie, loan shark, point spread, underdog or favorite)
10...Exaggerated use of word “bet” in his/her vocabulary
11...Sports gambling tickets and/or lottery tickets in their possession
12...Playing of gambling-type games on the Internet.
Source: The New Jersey Council on Compulsive Gambling
Catherine Townsend Lyon, Author & Gambling Recovery Advocate, Writer and Social Media Public Relations for Addicted Minds Treatment Directory
Bet Free Recovery Now...Sharing Hope, Help & Recovery From Gambling Addiction, News & Resources. 