Satjadham presents: --------------------------------------------- Gambling (Karn-Pa-Nan): an epidemic in behavioral health of the Laotian community -------------------------------------- By Mr. Kham-One Keopraseuth, MSW Abstract: Gambling in the Laotian community is a growing concern amidst the increasing popularity of legalized state sponsored programs brought on by a desperate attempt to offset the revenue shortfalls and tax limiting legislative moves throughout the country which started in the early 1990's. The focus of this commentary piece is on the observable trend and impact that gambling has brought to the lives and living conditions of our fellow Laotians without trivializing or moralizing the issue. Two aspects of gambling are most prevalent in the Laotian community. They are social and pathological gambling. The social gambling is also considered a life style and often glorified as a traditional family affair or socialization game. However, this is true only in certain group who believe in this type of activities as a pastime. On the other hand, problem gambling or pathological (compulsive) gambling is also well recognized by our community as seriously damaging, immoral and down right sinful (according to Buddhism) to the family life and career due to a deceptive and destructive nature of the person's behavior and its effects. What's in gambling and how it takes effect on the person's sense of being and satisfaction in life are the perimeter questions for this round of discussion. As a professional in the field of addictions services and mental health care for almost twenty years, I find this to be a golden opportunity to share and learn about what has been done in this area in our community. Cultural Roots: Laotian culture has been observed, admired and has evolved for at least the last four thousand years. Like any other culture, gambling has been a peculiar part of the evolution and in our nation's mythical and legendary figures and the great Laotian sages throughout history. From the story of Nang Sangkarn, the Pha-Phom lost his head in the PA-NAN on the questions of the 4 RASY (aura). In the legends of Xieng Mieng, Sinh Xay and Thao Kampa Kaikeo, the characters were equipped with divine power, but not without the special attribute in the area of super intelligence of trickery to out smart the Nyak or Phaya who challenged their existence. At the earthling level, our legends also stressed the importance of a proper way to observe our traditions i.e. Boon (festivities) and fun (recreations) as a form of celebration in all seriousness to appease and validate the powerful rulers in flesh and in spirit forms. Some examples are the bull fight, cock fight, the rocket festival and competition, the boat race and other games which include cards, dice and betting on wrestling matches. Card games are also popular activity although not viewed as gambling during a time of wake or the arrival time of newborns. These are the backdrops of our cultural norms. Those individuals whose habit of playing and spending on any of these activities gets out of control tend to be seen as an addict or a professional gambler (Nak Leing). Contemporary Issues: Those of us who are active participants in our local community affair can not deny that there are the good, the bad and the horrors going on among those who partake in the fringe of greedy mood and the hype of big power ball prizes or jackpot winnings. There have been a report among our silent community regarding the individuals who lost their life savings and business or even home they live in as a result of gambling and the bets which include stock market, football and others based on anticipated big moment of luck so all the debts and embezzled funds from trusted sources or job can be all returned secretly. Then, everything will be alright and *all happy go lucky* forever. The unfortunate Murphy's law always takes effect in time like this. So the individuals end up losing all the money and job. In an attempt to rid of the creditors (some credit card and utility companies, some local merchants and friends) a legal solution is sought as a remedy (filing for bankruptcy) in the court of laws. Stories are floating around and our community remains silent and even undaunted when the gangs raided their home at the moment of deposits are made to the bookers by their sales representatives. Family members are tied up in gag and bound. They seem to remain silent and suffer no night mares from such trauma. In some cases, the home based casino is raided at gun point where jewelry and cash are taken. Some drive to the legal casino and spend a week vacation and come back to talk about the newly discovered classy life style and thrilling vacation time they had ever experienced. Those who had limited funds and accumulating debts also talk about their new found friends who are so kind to loan them money to play or simply furnish them with money without any obligation to pay back. So go the stories of deceit and lies. All these are so claimed done in spirit of badly needed breaks from hard time and tough life. When confronted on the loss by family they tend to minimize the dollar amount or turn violently angry. Many promises will continue be broken and new behavior such as drinking and drugging may follow if not already co-morbidities. No win-win situation: Not according the games sponsors, operating corporation nor the gamblers themselves that the little scenarios mentioned above are truly win-win proposition for anyone, except maybe the corporation. But the economy suffers just the same. The sponsoring state government still fall short of funds to support the schools and public services, especially money to create treatment program for the addicts. Families are on welfare role and public health care services are cut. Particularly the non-citizen families at this point in time are being targeted. What happens to the women and children when the already deadbeat fathers hit the bottom and now on the run is a very sad sight in deed. All these are expressed and justified in the spirit of social gambling by those who play or by the ones who defend this form of socialization (in my view, the enablers and codependents). Psychosocial Issues and Remedy: My personal and professional view of gambling is that games are games if they are done with specific short term purposes and with clearly defined functions by the societal standards and rules such as boat race, horse race, rocket festivals or even fund raiser bingo games. It is a different matter when I am invited to a baci for the new baby or a friend's birth day party for a three year old and to find that 25 other families are invited, lots of food and drinks and the business of song singing, candle blowing, and cake cutting is rushed through and set aside so the adults can clear the area of the children, toys and their presents so that a circle can be formed to start the game. This kind of home atmosphere turns me off and seems untraditional to me, not having been brought up in this type of environment. This goes without mentioning that the members of gambling circle tend to take turn sponsoring the event. It is after a while seeming a very tightly nitch group based on one socializing activity. It can be therapeutic and even a natural support group even if not for the right reason. In any scenario mentioned above, it is helpful for the Laotian community members to know the difference between socialization activity or community event for fund raising as in contrast to problem behavior or pathological gambling. The following are the signs of gambling problems. Problem gamblers show some or all of the following:  Gambling until the last dollar is gone.  Gambling longer than planned.  Gambling to win back losses.  Thinking about gambling on work time.  Family life is unhappy.  Feeling remorse after gambling.  Continue to gamble despite problems.  Being secretive or lying about gambling.  Breaking promises to stop or cut back. Most people gamble for fun and entertainment. For some people, what started out as harmless recreation spins out of control. They can't stop even when gambling causes them or their families pain. Compulsive gamblers can be men and women, teenagers or adults of all races, religions, and income groups. They gamble on video poker, keno, sports, horses and dogs, cards, bingo, the stock market, or many other activities. To remedy this type of social illness, we as community of people who understand our history and norms by our cultural standards have to speak out and stop being enablers and begin to create prevention programs and attend to the already impacted portion of our youth through the role modeling perpetrated by the gamblers of all types and social classes. We need to recognize the problem and the facts that it can be treated. We need to encourage the victims to find the support they need to rebuild their lives and overcome money problems. Friends and family of gamblers can also get help to:  Understand problem gambling.  Cope with feelings of fear, anger, and frustration.  Understand what can be done to help the gambler. The current trend in treatment modality is very closely following the methods used for treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction. In the future segment, this could be the the area of our focus. I need to hear from other regions and people among our members who find themselves either by profession or by the virtue of working in social services having to deal with this issue. I hope that the community leaders will begin to dialogue if they still want to see that our temple well supported and children well informed and equipped with social skills to cope and stay clear from these diseases. Please feel free to comment and present your version of observation and analysis. Build on this so we can all speak freely and openly about our dark secrets without fear. Any comments, please direct to me.