Local Organization Hosts Gambling Awareness Program for Students

The Council Rock Coalition for Healthy Youth (CRCHY) recently partnered with to offer a gambling awareness program for students.

The program, called Gambling: Recreation with Risk, was held May 2 on BCCC’s Newtown campus. Seventy students attended and heard a presentation by Chip Baker, a professional with a long history in the fields of mental health and addiction.

Matt Cipriano, director of Student Life at the college, coordinated the program. “The gambling program at Bucks County Community College was well-attended and Chip Baker was very engaging. I look forward to bringing him back in the fall semester and working with CRCHY and Chip,” Cipriano said afterwards.

The program was initiated by the PA Department of Health, which provided funding to the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission. CRCHY, a nonprofit community organization that promotes positive behaviors and works to keep young people away from making unhealthy choices, applied for the funding from the commission.

“The rapid growth of casinos in our state also lends weight to the gambling concern. Building awareness in our youth is critical at this time to avoid financial, psychological and social consequences,” CRCHY said in a press release.