OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Knowing that a gambling addiction can lead to losing your home, family and friends, crime and even suicide, some Washington youth are taking action to help prevent problem gambling.

To help them do that, several youth groups will receive grants from the Department of Social and Health Services' Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse and the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling as part of Problem Gambling Awareness Week.

Gov. Chris Gregoire has declared March 1-7 as Problem Gambling Awareness Week in Washington state.

The grants will go to the following youth programs to help them develop gambling prevention messages through the arts:

• Sterling Middle School, East Wenatchee: $10,160
• Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) clubs at Oakland Bay Junior High School and Shelton High School, both in Shelton: $10,600
• Interagency Academy Youth Ensemble, Seattle: $6,000
• Gear Up with Music, Olympia: $9,500

"Through the Gambling Awareness and the Arts projects, students will teach youth in their communities about the warning signs and how to get help," said Linda Graves, Problem Gambling Program Manager for DASA. "They will also reach many more teens by posting videos of their projects on the Internet."

DASA's Problem Gambling Program provides help to all Washington residents who are unable to pay for it. If you or someone you care about has problems because of gambling, call the toll-free, 24-hour Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-547-6133.

For tips on preventing problem gambling, and knowing how to spot a problem, visit www.notagame.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND:

Jim Stevenson, Communications Director, HRSA, DSHS, 360-902-7604 (pager 360-971-4067)

DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran's status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.