Jan 20, 2010

Tackling loan-sharking means taking aim at gambling sources too

Indeed, those who approach loan sharks to feed their gambling addiction do not need our sympathy. We have read of how hardcore gamblers end up when the habit is chronic.

Loan sharks feed on the weakness of gamblers to entice them with their high-interest loans, and if we can tackle the addiction of our gamblers, we may have nipped the problem in the bud.

Yes, gambling is an addiction and like drug consumption and alcoholism, it takes much effort and time for the habit to be weeded out. Instead of piling blame and guilt on gamblers, I suggest that a counselling programme be put in place to help this group of people.

There are various solid rehabilitation programmes for drug and alcohol abuse, so why not for gambling?

Do we have a comprehensive national programme to assist gamblers in weaning off their addiction, and if so, how successful has it been?

Gamblers need the moral support of friends and family members. Merely labelling them will not help the situation. It may be good to get to the root of the problem of why people gamble when the odds are stacked against them.

The easy access to Singapore Pools betting outlets also does not help the situation. The reason we can largely control drug addiction here is the limited availability of illegal narcotics. If we can limit the source of gambling, then perhaps we may have closed a big door on the addiction.

Gilbert Goh

http://www.straitstimes.com/PrimeNews/Story/STIStory_478697.html - Misplaced sympathy for loan-shark borrowers (read full article)