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Anna Thistle, Opposition MHA for the District of Grand Falls - Buchans,
asked questions today in the House of Assembly about reports of gambling
taking place in schools in this province. The Minister of Education has
denied reports of gambling and stated in the House that it was not necessary
to ban poker games at schools. "I could not believe that we have a
Minister of Education in this province who is so out of touch with the
importance of this issue," said Thistle. "Not only is the Minister turning a
blind eye to confirmed reports of gambling in our schools, but he condoned
the activity by clearly stating he feels it should not be regulated.
"There are numerous reports that indicate adolescent gambling has far
reaching implications for those who are involved. The Department of Health
and Community Services has stated on it’s own website that a strategy to
deal with the problem must be implemented." (http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/commhlth_old/factlist/GAMBLING.HTM)
"I am calling on the Minister of Education to do the right thing,
acknowledge that he had no idea this activity was taking place in our
schools, and now take immediate action to deal with the problem that we
brought to his attention in a decisive manner. It would be irresponsible for
the Minister to continue to turn a blind eye to this serious issue. The
Minister should send a directive to School Boards that gambling is not
acceptable and his officials should devise an educational program to explain
the impacts of teenage gambling. Immediate action must be taken before this
problem spirals out of control.
"I don’t think the Minister realizes the extent of this problem and how
it relates to the culture of gambling that is being created in our province.
This is all part of government not allocating adequate resources to deal
with gambling addictions."
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