A recent study in New York State found that students are beginning to gamble at a younger age. Fifty public and private schools were polled for the study.

"The numbers come from the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. It found that one out of every five young people in grades seven through12 gamble - that's 300,000 students statewide."

The DePaul Problem Gamblers Program says blame lies in the ease with which young people can gamble in New York, not just in the lottery, but in casinos and racinos. Ray Scott, from Problem Gamblers, says that in addition to the economic ruin that can occur, gambling has a higher rate of suicide than any other form of addiction.

Teens struggling with risky behaviors, such as gambling or teen drug use, can find the help they need at an adolescent residential treatment center. Find one at BoardingSchoolsInfo.com.

Labels: gambling, risky_behaviors, teen_issues