Teen wagers

It was a pleasure to read Naomi Bloch's article "Money for nothing" [Feb. 22]. Gambling, just like smoking, among youths is far too prevalent in this province. Youth gambling is an especially important issue when you consider that governments are cutting back on social spending and raising the costs of higher education. Imagine how much money some of these heavy gamblers would save if they were less addicted to throwing their money away.

The money saved could be used to fund their education or just for a rainy day--it should not be forgotten that we might now be headed for a recession. Also, if more of these youths started investing money in RRSPs and savings bonds at such a young age, instead of placing their bets on the lottery, they would be much better off in their middle-age and senior years.

--Lawrence Garbanzo

Government-endorsed gambling

As a consumer advocate and gambling critic, I read the letter from Colin Tang [Feb. 15] with great interest. Mr. Tang makes a very valid point in that suicide, domestic abuse and other family problems are direct results of excessive gambling. Gambling is a very stupid activity, but those who participate are not stupid people. Unfortunately, most gambling is done by those who can least afford it. They are deliberately targeted by the gambling industry. Millions of dollars are spent annually on advertising to entice these people to spend the little money they have on a chance to be a millionaire.

In return for this dream, the government relieved Quebecers of almost $1.8-billion last year. They didn't spend any money warning people that gambling can become an addiction. They didn't tell people that the chance of winning is only one in 14-million. They didn't tell people to play responsibly and that it's all right to play a couple of tickets but not to go overboard. Instead, they inundate the airwaves and the print media with the size of this week's draw. Truth in advertising standards apparently do not apply to governments.

Whether you are at home or at work, video lottery terminals are easily accessible. These are the ultimate danger because of their speed and their accessibility. There isn't much one can buy today for 25 cents, but drop a quarter into a VLT and you can buy an addiction for the rest of your life. Most of our clients who seek treatment for gambling problems readily admit that it's not about money. The machine acts as a vehicle of escape from whatever is bothering them, be it physical or mental. Abstaining from gambling without seeking out the real issues and dealing with them would only lead to another destructive behaviour pattern, eventually ending in a relapse.

--Sol Boxenbaum, Viva Consulting

Fight the capitalist pigs!

Regarding the Front article "Mackay tenants hit city hall" [Feb. 22]. What happened to those 30 tenants of the 1193 Mackay building is disturbing and it fills me with anger towards the immoral capitalists who continue to feed the growing economic disparity of the downtown area. I can only imagine the material and emotional damages suffered by the tenants following their harassment and eviction.

How is it that the city allows landlords and real-estate speculators to throw an 80-year-old man out into the street. How can landlords be allowed to harass tenants who pay their rent, just because they have other plans for the property? It is obvious (and baffling) that the police sided with the goons. This brings me to question what the city is doing with the downtown area. Who is this city protecting? Low-income citizens who need affordable housing or high-rise building projects that use illegal demolition tactics and will later receive government subsidies?

You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out who the criminals are. We must make sure the downtown eviction gangrene doesn't spread any further. We must show these capitalist mercenaries that we the people are in solidarity with the Mackay street tenants and all other eviction victims. We will not let such injustices slide by and we will fight united.

--Karina Young