AFN spots reflect military's concern (gambling)

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AFN spots reflect military's concern
By Matt Millham, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, January 31, 2008

Military leaders have been reluctant to openly say there’s a serious gambling problem in the military.

But it is enough of a concern that the airwaves, military newspapers and Web sites are regularly pressed into service to address compulsive gambling in the ranks.

At the moment, Armed Forces Radio and Television Service has a roster of 22 commercials about problem gambling similar to those warning of the consequences of drunken driving and spousal abuse.

“The spots were produced because senior leaders determined that gambling was an issue that needed to be addressed,” Paul M. Waldrop, chief of the office responsible for the commercials, wrote in an e-mail response to Stars and Stripes.

At the same time, base newspapers, Web sites and message boards regularly advertise Gamblers Anonymous meetings and advise troops that gambling could ruin their careers.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52065