DHS news release

March 4, 2005

Contact: Jim Sellers, (503) 945-5738

Springfield news conference: New problem-gambling ad invites women into treatment

Story: New advertising financed by the Oregon Lottery and aimed at getting more female problem gamblers to call the state-sponsored toll-free helpline will be unveiled Monday at a news conference in Springfield. New data show that although the share of women entering gambling treatment rose from 37% to 48% over the past eight years, fewer women are seeking help than expected. In Oregon, women with gambling problems outnumber men. The new problem gambling ad represents the nation's biggest effort to reach out to women.

Copies of the ad will be available to reporters.

When: Monday, March 7, at 10 a.m.

Where: Emergence Addiction and Behavioral Therapies (site of the Problem Gambling Helpline call center), 1485 Market St., Springfield. Phone at the site: (541) 741-7107.

Who: Speaking and available for interviews

• Jeffrey Marotta, Problem Gambling Services Manager, Oregon Department of Human Services.
  
• Carole Bono, Assistant Director for Marketing, Oregon Lottery, who produced the new ad. She will show the ad and have copies for reporters.
  
• Michele Tantriella-Modell, Program Director of Emergence's Meridian Gambling Program, who will talk about how the toll-free line works (1 877 2-STOP-NOW).

Also available for interview: a certified gambling counselor, a representative of the Lane County prevention program and a representative of Oregonians for Problem Gambling Awareness.

Note: Reporters in Marion and Multnomah counties who cannot attend the Springfield news conference may call Peter Walsh at Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare at (503) 872-0151 for local interviews and to speak with local problem-gambling treatment graduates.