The Council  on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse of Sullivan County, Inc., also known as The Recovery Center, is a not-for-profit community-based agency whose mission is to work with all sectors of the community towards the PREVENTION, INTERVENTION & TREATMENT of alcohol, tobacco, other drug and gambling problems, and related issues.

"Never forget that we deal with human beings, that our first responsibility is to help each of them, individually.  We must not become so fascinated with long-range goals that we forget our prime and immediate obligation is to people."

- Marty Mann
Founder of the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence

According to a 2012 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), youth between the ages of 12 and 17 are far more likely to start using most substances during the summer than during other parts of the year.  One example is alcohol.  During most months, the daily average for first-time alcohol use among adolescents ranges between 5,000 and 8,000.  However, in June and July, that number climbs to over 11,000.

SPORTS RELATED PROBLEM GAMBLING- WHO IS AT RISK?

 Anyone can develop a gambling problem – young, old, male, female, rich or poor. All games of chance are a potential threat to a person at risk for gambling addiction. However, sports’ gambling is becoming more invasive in today’s society and is reaching younger audiences. The 2013 National Annenberg Survey of Youth showed that sports betting is the most popular form of gambling among youth 14 - 22.

Nearly a quarter of adolescent males bet on sports in an average month. According to the NCAA, 92% of male college athletes reported that they started gambling [on sports or any other gambling] in high school or earlier. Many students are first introduced to wagering on sports by completing an NCAA tournament bracket or buying a Super Bowl square, suggesting these forms of gambling may serve as a gateway to more expensive and dangerous forms of betting, according to a study conducted by Tim Otteman of US News & World Report. The NCAA estimates that 1 in 10 Americans will complete a tournament bracket, and CNBC estimates that $6-12 billion is wagered on March Madness.

While betting on a tournament or football game does not automatically cause a problem or put someone on the path towards addiction, its popularity does create the need for education and encouraging responsible gambling practices.

Much of the recent research shows a higher interest, and thereby higher risk, to males and youth.

According to the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University, boys develop more gambling problems than girls because they are more competitive and enjoy feeling important when they win. Also, boys are more susceptible to develop gambling problems than girls because they participate in gambling activities that are more problematic, such as sports betting. They believe that because they know all the teams and the players, they have a good chance of winning their bet. Many teenagers have developed a gambling problem due to their participation in betting on sports events.

Athletes are at a high risk for sports gambling for many reasons including unreasonable expectation of winning, competitive personalities, need for action and excitement, ability to play through pain and perception of social norms. Some other risk factors of problem gambling in general include being an athlete, belief in one’s own skill, racial and ethnic minorities are at a higher risk of developing a gambling addiction, easy access to money, and having a family history of addiction.

The so-called "social host" law is aimed primarily at adults who preside over teenage drinking parties. The marijuana law targets a substance whose dangers have ignited a flurry of legislation from federal, state and local officials.

The social-host law would apply to anyone over 18 who "owns, rents, or otherwise controls" a property where underage drinking or illegal drug use occurs.

First-time offenders would be guilty of a violation punishable by a $500 fine and an order to complete an alcohol-awareness program or up to 30 hours of community service.

Farrell and advocates backing the social host law cited the results of youth and adult surveys on drinking administered last year by the Recovery Center's Prevention First NY initiative.

"Hopefully, we won't have to use it," Farrell said. "Hopefully, people will take it to heart."

Sullivan's law will target anyone selling, possessing or driving under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids. Offenders could receive up to a year in jail and lose their driver's license.