Past Projects

Create and Discover! Leisure Alternatives through community arts for at-risk or problem gamblers in HRM
The Nova Scotia Sea School launched a three-month pilot program to engage at-risk and problem gamblers in alternative leisure opportunities in art. A partnership with Addictions Services, the project provided participants with the tools, experience, and community connections they needed to develop concrete leisure activities to replace or mitigate their gambling addiction or risk factors.

Exploring Problem Gambling in African Nova Scotian Communities: Creating Awareness and Making Connections
The Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers received a NSGF grant to explore the extent of problem gambling among African Nova Scotia adults, youth and seniors, and to identify the African Nova Scotia community’s priorities around the issue of problem gambling.The grant also helped fund Linking Borders, an International Conference for Social Workers of African Descent.

Seniors and Gambling
Community Links, a provincial organization that promotes healthy communities and quality of life for Nova Scotia seniors, received a NSGF grant to explore gambling as an issue for Nova Scotia seniors.

Team Professional Development Grants

Gambling 101
Canadian Mental Health Association, Kings County

Gambling Awareness - Resource Showcase
Colchester East Hants Health Authority, Community Health Boards

Introduction to Problem Gambling
Independent Living Nova Scotia

Latest in Pharmacological Treatment of Pathological Gambling
Dalhousie University's Gambling Laboratory

Motivational Interviewing and/or The CRAFT Approach
Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia

Research Findings and Therapeutic Strategies for Working with Clients with Problem Gambling Issues
Family Service Association (HRM)

Two Sessions: Responsible Gambling Initiatives and Products presented by Atlantic Lottery Corporation and Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation & Historical Overview of Gambling in Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Gambling Research Initiatives and Issues in Research
Capital Health, Addiction Services

Past Projects 2008-2009

Community Projects I Grants

Addictions Training for Allied Professionals
The Pictou County Health Authority, Addiction Services, received a NSGF grant to host a two day workshop on addictions for allied professionals in Pictou County. A resource package on addictions was also provided to each participant.

Support and Resources for Women Adversely Affected by Gambling
According to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia, there has been an increase in female problem gamblers who have never been involved with the criminal justice system but who have become involved as a consequence of their involvement with gambling. A NSGF grant will help offer support, life-skills training and problem gambling education to women who access their services.

Community Projects II Grants

Refocus
The Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia’s “Refocus” is an activity-based therapy program geared to youth whose families may be affected by gambling. Evolved from the recognition that individual and family counseling is not always an effective method of intervention, the program uses kayaking, outdoor survival training, and team-building activities to help youth build character and resiliency.

Research Grants

Efficacy of Auricular Acupuncture in Reducing Anxiety Associated with Addiction Recovery
Dalhousie University received a research grant to explore the extent to which auricular acupuncture reduces anxiety in individuals who self-identify as problem gamblers. Auricular acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external ear surface.

Exploring the Leisure Experiences of Caregivers to Persons Harmfully Involved in Gambling, Alcohol and/or Drugs
In partnership with the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation, Dalhousie University received a research grant to explore how caregivers of persons harmfully involved with gambling, alcohol and/or drugs in Nova Scotia shape and experience their leisure.

Past Projects 2007-2008

Community Projects I Grants

DVD Production "Day of Help"
An NSGF grant enabled the GameOverVLTs.com Society to lay the groundwork for the development of a DVD from the raw video footage of the 2006 ‘Day of Help’ workshop. The documented event was a free, educational workshop for recovering VLT addicts and their families.

Support for Women Who Gamble
The Second Story Women's Centre developed and implemented a 30-week facilitated support group for women in the Lunenburg community who gamble. The program offered a safe environment for participants to develop positive personal management skills including positive self-talk, and how to handle gambling urges.

Taking Control Making Changes: Support Group for Women Impacted by Problem Gambling in the Tri-Counties
A pre-cursor to “I am a Women and Have I got a Story to Tell”, this gender-specific support group was offered by the Tri County Women’s Centre in Yarmouth. The program attracted participants from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, and used art and story telling techniques to help develop trust and to break down feelings of isolation.

The Common Mission Coalition: Seeking the Intersect
With the help of a NSGF grant, Addiction Services, Southwest District Health Authority, facilitated a project that allowed junior high school students to develop a theatre play about the risks involved with gambling and substance abuse. Students met after school twice a week for seven weeks to research, create and perform their drama, It’s All a Gamble.

Community Projects III Grants

Eskasoni Case Management Project, 2005/2007 (Complete)
Eskasoni Mental Health & Social Work Service

Research Grants

Needing Treatment: Targeting the Absence of Addiction Programming and Services in Nova Scotia Adult Corrections
Dr. Heather Kitchin of Acadia University received a grant to research the gambling problems of those incarcerated at Nova Scotia’s five adult correctional facilities. Her research seeks to understand the relationship between crime, recidivism and problem gambling.

Past Projects 2006-2007

Community Project Grants

A Path and A Promise: Healing Body, Mind and Spirit, 2006/2007
A pre-cursor to the Women in Recovery from Addictions Program (WRAP), this workshop/retreat for women with problem gambling issues was offered by the Tatamagouche Centre.

Family Seminar/Community Addictions Workshop, 2006/2007
Crosbie House Society

No More VLTs 2006/2007
Game Over VLTs Society

Women in Lunenburg County Affected by Gambling - Education and Awareness, 2006/2007
Second Story Women's Centre

Community Projects I Grants

Family Seminar/ Community Addictions Workshop
Crosbie House Society, an abstinence-based, 12 step Residential Addictions Treatment Program, considers members of the family and the community to be an essential part of an addict's recovery process. They used a grant from NSGF to implement a workshop for family and community members to develop skills to better support their loved ones in recovery.

Past Projects 2005-2006

Community Project Grants

A Gender Specific Study on Women Gambling in Cape Breton Municipality
Every Woman's Centre

Asset Development Adventure & Peer Tutoring
Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre

Breaking Through the Isolation: Story Sharing Between Women Who Gamble
The Western Area Women's Coalition

Impacts of Problem Gambling on Domestic Violence
Cumberland County Transition House Association received a grant from the NSGF to develop and incorporate a screening tool to identify problem gamblers and a module on problem gambling. Information on problem gambling as it impacts domestic violence was also be added to the Association's public education materials and presentations.

Promoting Problem Gambling Awareness Through the Media
Cape Breton Addiction Services (DHA 8) received a NSGF grant to develop and implement a media campaign to raise awareness about problem gambling, and to promote Addiction services as an outlet of help for problem gamblers. Ads dealing with gambling issues, and directing people to Addiction Services, ran in local papers every week for one year.

Refocus
Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia, Sydney

Web-GAM (Gambling/Assistance Support Made Easier)
WebGam was a Foundation-sponsored pilot project of Problem Gambling Treatment Services, a part of Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services, Capital Health. The site included various self-help tools, and a message board that allowed problem gamblers to share personal stories and support.

Interprovincial Collaboration

Review of the CPGI, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) Interprovincial Project

Community Projects II Grants

ADAPT (Asset Development Adventure & Peer Tutoring), 2005/2008
With a grant from the NSGF, the Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre developed and delivered “ADAPT”, a program for at-risk 13-22 year olds in the Bay St. Lawrence community. The program, aimed at directing youth away from risky and destructive behaviours, blended outdoor activities, financial planning education, and tutoring/mentoring sessions.

Past Projects 2004-2005

Community Project Grants

A Gender Specific Study of Women Gambling in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality
The Every Women's Centre received a NSGF grant to conduct a research study on the prevalence of gambling in women in the Cape Regional Municipality.

A Path and a Promise: Healing Body, Mind and Spirit
A pre-cursor to the Women in Recovery from Addictions Recovery program (WRAP), this workshop/retreat for women with problem gambling issues was offered by the Tatamagouche Centre.

APTS Application for Problem Gambling Resources
Addiction Prevention & Treatment Services, Capital District Health Authority, used a NSGF grant to order, catalogue and distribute resource materials on problem gambling. Applicable resources were determined by the CDHA Gambling Awareness Committee, based upon knowledge of therapists specializing in the field of problem gambling, and expressed consumer need.

Community Outreach Tour
Mulgrave Road Theatre

Eskasoni Case Management Program
Eskasoni Mental Health and Social Work Service

Gambling Employment Initiatives Project
Addiction Prevention & Treatment Services, Capital DHA

Literature Review for a Study on the cost of Gambling in Nova Scotia
Genuine Progress Index Atlantic Society received a NSGF grant to carry out the literature review required for the design of a major study on the costs and benefits of gaming in Nova Scotia.

NS Video Lottery Self-Exclusion Program
Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation

Stage 3 Resource Mapping and Resource Development
Addiction Services, Cape Breton DHA 8

Strength in Community Provincial Volunteer Workshop
Addiction Services, DHAs 1, 2, 3

Women and Gambling in the Tri-Counties
With the help of a NSGF grant, the Tri-County Women’s Centre researched the extent of problem gambling in women from Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby. The study also identified the types of services that are needed and requested by female problem gamblers in the region.

Interprovincial Collaboration

Socio-economic Impact of Gambling Project (SEIG)
Coordinated by Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre

Community Projects I Grants

Problem Gambling Resource Development
With the help of a NSGF grant, Capital District Health Authority Gambling Awareness Group ordered, catalogued and distributed problem gambling resources that would assist in problem gambling treatment and prevention education work. The resource list was compiled based on recommendations by therapists specializing in the field of problem gambling and expressed consumer need.

Women & Gambling in Lunenburg County
Second Story Women’s Centre received a NSGF grant to develop a plan to facilitate problem gambling groups and alternative services for women with gambling problems in Lunenburg and Queen’s county.

Research Grants

Effects of Alcohol on Characteristics of Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Play among At-Risk and Non-Problem Gamblers: Possible Cognitive Mediation?
Dalhousie Gambling Lab, Dalhousie University

Conference Grants

Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services, Capital Health (3 individuals)

Addiction Services, DHAs 1, 2, 3 (1 individual)

Addiction Services, DHAs 4, 5, 6 (3 individuals)

Addiction Services, GASHA (1 individual)

Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority (1 individual)

Past Projects 2003-2004

Community Project Grants

A Needs Assessment
With the help of a NSGF grant, the Bay St. Lawrence Community Center sought to understand how their community deals with, and is directly affected by, the consequences of gambling, addictions, crime and violence. Their study also identified resources that could be used to help create and develop a community-based mobilization strategy.

Counseling Skills Training in Problem Gambling
Family Services Association of HRM

Literature Review for a Study on the Cost of Gambling in Nova Scotia
Genuine Progress Index Atlantic Society (GPI Atlantic)

Redesigning a Structured Treatment Program Addiction Services, DHAs 1, 2, 3

Refocus
Family Services Association of Eastern NS

The Community Reinforcement Model
Addiction Services, DHAs 4, 5, 6

Interprovincial Collaboration

Adolescent Problem Gambling Index Coordinated by Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre

Community Projects I Grants

Problem Gambling Resources
Addiction Services District Health Authorities Cumberland, Pictou and Colchester and East Hants received a NSGF grant to develop their resources on problem gambling to enhance the knowledge and efficacy of prevention and treatment staff.

Women & Gambling (A Feminist Perspective)
The Western Area Women’s Coalition received a NSGF grant to research and deliver a series of information sessions on problem gambling as it affects women.

Community Projects II Grants

Problem Gambling Treatment, Public Education and Prevention Support Equipment, Training and Resource Development
Addiction Services, Guysborough Antigonish Strait Region and Cape Breton District Health Authority received a NSGF grant to improve gambling related resource materials including technological equipment and software. Designated Addiction Services staff were also trained to use multimedia kits for the presentation of Prevention and Public Education materials.

Redesigning a Structured Treatment Program, 2003/2007 (Complete)
Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services, DHA's 1, 2 & 3

The Women's Problem Gambling Recovery Program
Recognizing that many women in recovery from addictions and abuse also experience gambling problems, the Marguerite Center added “The Women’s Problem Gambling Recovery Program” to their existing substance abuse residential program.

Research Grants

Does Chasing Behaviour Differ During Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Play Among Probable Pathological and Non-pathological Gamblers?
Mike Ellery of Dalhousie University received a research grant to explore the connection between chasing behaviour and problem gambling among VLT players. Chasing behaviour is defined as increasing a wager within a gambling session, or returning to gamble after a previous gambling session, explicitly in order to recuperate monetary losses.

Conference Grants

Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services, Capital Health (3 individuals)

Addiction Services, DHAs 1, 2, 3 (2 individuals)

Addiction Services, DHAs 4, 5, 6 (3 individuals)

Addiction Services, DHAs 7 & 8 (3 individuals)

The Marguerite Centre (1 individual)

Past Projects 2002-2003

Community Project Grants

Basic Training for Addressing Problem Gambling
Addiction Services , DHAs 1, 2,

Celebrating 10 Years of MATRIX
With the help of a NSGF grant, MATRIX Women’s Services held a one-day workshop and evening social to mark the ten-year anniversary of the organization. Objectives included sharing information on the most effective service delivery models in the field of addiction services for women, and facilitating networking and partnership opportunities for service providers both locally and provincially.

Counseling and Group Therapy for Problem Gamblers and Spouses
The Valley Pastoral Counseling Services Association received a grant to develop and offer a counseling program for problem gamblers and their partners. The program helped couples to work through relationship issues that resulted from, or were related to, problem gambling.

Gambling Awareness Seniors Population Committee (GASP)
Drug Dependency Services, Capital Health, received a grant to reprint GASP's report from a previously funded project. Two hundred and fifty copies of the report were distributed to senior councils, senior centers and senior organizations throughout the province.

Increasing Awareness of the Risks and Consequences of VLT Play in Nova Scotia – A Pilot Project
Problem Gambling Services, Department of Health

Mental Health / Gambling Resource Library
The Pictou County Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association received a NSGF grant to help develop a resource library of materials to educate on anxiety, depresseion and stress as it relates to problem gambling.

Needing Treatment: Targeting the Absence of Addiction Programming and Services in Nova Scotia Adult Corrections
Acadia University

Problem Gambling Resource Asset Mapping
Addiction Services, Cape Breton District Health Authority, received a NSGF grant to review, assess and update available resource material on gambling issues. The process alsoo rated the applicability of resource materials to the district's client base, with an emphasis on spousal, peer and community awareness issues.

Summer Student Employment in Prevention and Community Education

Youth Engagement Theatre Project
Mulgrave Road Theatre

Research Grants

Investigation of the Reward Mechanisms Involved in Pathological Gambling - Alcohol Use Disorder Comorbidity, 2008
Drs. Sherry Stewart and Sean Barrett of Dalhousie University received a research grant to investigate how drinking alcohol affects the behavior of problem and non problem gamblers. This study is especially relevant in Nova Scotia, where video lottery terminals (VLTs) are found only in licensed establishments.

Investigations of the Reward Mechanisms Involved in Pathological Gambling – Alcohol Use Disorder Comorbidity
Dalhousie University, Dal Gambling Lab

Conference Grants

Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services
Capital Health (1 individual)

Past Projects 2001-2002

Team Professional Development Grants

Addiction Services, DHA's 4, 5, 6 Operational Funding Grant
Addiction Services, DHA's 4, 5, 6

Addiction Services, DHA's 7 & 8 Operational Funding Grant
Addiction Services, DHA's 7 & 8

Contributions of Attentional Mechanisms to Understanding Relations between Disordered Gambling Behaviour and Alcohol Misuse
Dalhousie University co-funded with Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre

Development of a Computerized, Integrated Test Battery for Attention
Dalhousie University, Dal Gambling Lab

Does Chasing Behaviour Differ During Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Play Among Probable Pathological and Non-pathological Gamblers?
Dalhousie Gambling Lab, Dalhousie University

Freedom Foundation Operational Funding Grant
Freedom Foundation of Nova Scotia

Gambling and Cross-Cultural Counselling
CHOICES Program

Gambling Awareness Seniors Population Committee (GASP)
Capital District Drug Dependency Services

Gambling Information Workshops / Media Campaign
Addiction Services, DHA's 4, 5, 6

Nova Scotia Problem Gambling Prevalence Monitoring Project
Problem Gambling Services, Nova Scotia Department of Health

Recovery House Operational Funding Grant
Recovery House

The Acquisition of Problem Gambling Resources for Cape Breton District Health Authority
Addiction Services, Cape Breton DHA

The Acquisition of Problem Gambling Resources for District 7
Addiction Services, DHA 7

The Effectiveness of Auricular Acupuncture in Treating Problem Gambling – Phase I
Drug Dependency Services, Capital DHA

Past Projects Prior to 2001

"Drawing the Line" – French Translation
Department of Health

Douglas Murphy Outreach Centre
Compulsive and Problem Gamblers Society

Gambling Awareness Seniors Population Committee (GASP)
Capital District Health Authority, Drug Dependency Services

Gambling Resources for Service Customers, Treatment Staffand Community
Addiction Services, DHA's 4, 5, 6

Making Material Resources Strategically Available to Problem Gamblers and their Families
Western Region Addiction Services

Problem Gambling Prevention for Grades 4-6
Department of Education and Culture

VLT Harm Reduction Study – Phases I & II
Dalhousie University, Dept. of Psychology