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The Nevada Council on problem gambling estimates that problem gambling may affect up to six percent of adults in Nevada. The Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada Gambling Treatment Diversion Court (GTDC) today marked Problem Gambling Awareness month in a specialty Court session. Judge Cheryl Moss, Ret. was given special recognition for her work to establish the GTDC. The court is considered to be a model court.
Nearly 150,000 people in Nevada are believed to suffer the negative emotional, financial and personal consequences of problem gambling; a behavior known to compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. Problem gambling can also lead to criminal activity.
Chief Judge Linda Marie Bell, who presides over the GTDC shared the details of how Judge Moss prompted her to start a Gambling Treatment Diversion court. “Honestly, without Judge Moss we would not have this court today,” said Judge Bell.
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“I am proud to represent Nevada,” said Judge Moss. She shared that Ohio and New Jersey are looking at adding a Gambling Treatment Diversion court. Program participants present for the court today, tearfully thanked Judge Moss for her work to establish the court aimed at getting those with gambling addiction back on track through treatment.
The participants who appeared before Judge Bell gave progress reports on their treatment and their lives. One participant shared the biggest difference he has seen in himself, “I went from not caring about my future to overly caring about my future.”
The GTDC commenced in November 2018, with Judge Cheryl Moss presiding. Per Nevada Revised Statues 458A, defendants are eligible for GTDC if they have been convicted of a crime and committed that crime in furtherance, or as a result, of problem gambling. A qualified mental health professional must examine and determine the defendant is a problem gambler. Those who commit a violent crime, a crime against a child, or a sexual offense are not eligible for the program. Participants must agree to pay restitution as a condition of treatment.
The Gambling Treatment Diversion Court (GTDC) marked their first graduation ceremony last October. The Eighth Judicial District GDTC is a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program for those in the criminal justice system as a result of a problem gambling disorder. The program is currently the only one of its kind in the country. Treatment for the 18 to 36 month GTDC program includes individual and group counseling focused on problem gambling, State-funded Certified Problem Gambling Counselors provide the treatment. Participants may also be required to complete substance abuse and mental health counseling, wellness education, peer support and drug and alcohol testing when needed. Additional services include residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, anger management and impulse control groups, gender-specific and trauma treatment, grief and loss treatment, treatment targeting criminal behavior and family therapy. Program participants are required to pay an administrative fee of $1,500 after they have paid their entire restitution. Treatment costs are covered by insurance or state grant funds. The GTDC program is in session every other Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
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