JAMAICA | Eliminating Underage Gambling in Schools - Rise Life and BGLC.

KINGSTON,  Jamaica September 6, 2024 - In an unprecedented move to tackle the growing specter of underage gambling in Jamaica, Rise Life Management Services, which empowers young people and vulnerable populations to make healthy lifestyle choices, is leading the charge to revolutionize school curricula across Jamaica.

This bold initiative, backed by the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), aims to nip the gambling bug in the bud by educating the nation's youth about its perils.

Guidance counsellor at St Andrew Technical High School, who recently attended Rise Life's eye-opening seminar on underage gambling prevention, Mr. Ian Grant, is now a fervent advocate for the subject to be a part of the school's curriculum. "It is one of the greatest things we're doing for them," he enthuses, tipping his hat to the BGLC for their social conscience and responsibility.

Grant's enthusiasm is palpable as he predicts the program's long-term impact: "It's making a difference," he asserts, "more so in the long run - and certainly for a more wholistic approach, the BGLC should be joined by other organisations to treat childhood addiction."

Echoing this sentiment, Vitus Evans, Executive Director of the BGLC, stands firmly behind the initiative. "The BGLC firmly supports the integration of underage gambling prevention into school curricula," Evans declares.

"Protecting our youth from the risks associated with gambling is crucial for fostering a healthier and more responsible future generation. We are committed to working alongside educators and our partner Rise Life Management Services to ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions."

Rise Life's Program Manager, Richard Henry, is also proposing to arm future educators with the tools to combat this issue before they even set foot in a classroom. "Counsellors would be more enabled and equipped, to meet the challenges," Henry explains.

However, the path to progress is not without its hurdles. Ms. Lorrie-Ann Vernal, Head of the Guidance Counselling Unit at St George's College, while championing the cause, points out a significant obstacle: denial. "Given the school environment and the very aspirations, there are schools in denial - just to save face…which really does not help," she laments.

For Grant, these training seminars have been nothing short of revealing. Participating in the two-day session for Region One schools of Kingston and St Andrew opened his eyes to the complexity of the issue. "It is not," he emphasizes, "something in isolation."

As this initiative gains momentum, Grant advocates for its widespread adoption: "It is a need in all schools and should be mandatory for all counsellors – and it should be ongoing. It can't be a one-off thing – and it's especially needed at the beginning of a school year."

With Rise Life Management Services at the helm, backed by the BGLC and an army of dedicated educators, the fight against underage gambling is set to become a cornerstone of Jamaica's educational landscape.

RISE Life’s mission is to deliver programs that empower vulnerable populations, creating a pathway for them to realize their full potential; and build the capacity of civil society organizations towards strengthening (the Jamaican) society.