Scribe fights gambling
HAMISH MACLEAN
05/09/2012
RECOGNISE: Scribe fans, from left: Marcella Maihi, Rowie Davis-Cooper and Chelsea Rudolph join the hip-hop artist in Kaikohe on Thursday to raise awareness of gambling addiction.
A hip-hop artist who famously fought off a gambling addiction was in Kaikohe last week, to raise awareness of the disease that impacts many in the Far North.
While September 1 was officially "gamble-free day", Scribe had been promoting his message of gambling awareness since his journey started in Invercargill two weeks ago.
It is Scribe's second year involved in the campaign to help end problem gambling in the country.
The message is that a day free from gambling happens by choice and not by chance and, because of that, the community is encouraged to learn more about what problem gambling is and where to get help.
"It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but as long as we teach the new generation coming through - make them aware of the facts and the dangers of becoming addicted to pokies and gambling - there's hope," Scribe says.
Scribe says his addiction to pokies and gambling became news on a very public scale. But he's been in recovery for four years.
His perspective has changed since the days he led a "rock ‘n' roll lifestyle". The Christchurch-based hip-hop artist says now that he's been through two earthquakes and some family disruptions, different things in life have gained importance. But in his younger days, the addiction had a hold of him.
"Every country I'd go to, I'd spend time in the casinos when I wasn't performing," he says.
It led to the end of his relationship with his former partner.
"The thing is with gambling, it's an addiction that's easily concealed, it's not like drinking or drugs where it's pretty easy to see.
"It's one that people can keep secret and it doesn't discriminate." Scribe says he has met addicts from all walks, including CEOs of companies and those who are on benefits.
Nga Manga Puriri health promotion adviser Te Hiwi Preston, who organised the Kaikohe event, explains that his organisation provides free services to all Northland communities and helps a wide range of people.
"A problem gambler can be someone who spends $20 a week and can't afford that, or it can be someone who spends $1000 a week, can afford that, but it's affecting their families."
Gambling can have wide-reaching and long-term effects, he says.
The Whangarei group is mobile and tries to help communities throughout the region.
Mr Preston says he personally does not have a gambling addiction but he has family members who have issues currently.
"There are many individuals who have a problem with gambling, but we don't quite know the statistics, that's the thing we're quite concerned about. We know that it's a problem in our communities, but it's whether the individual seeks help for those problems, or whether they admit it to themselves," Mr Preston says.
"It's about controlling your addiction, being safe and having good support systems so it doesn't become a problem," Scribe says.
And while he will still play games like Texas Hold ‘Em, he will not play pokies. He hears stories on the road, that he can relate to, perhaps those who know of his troubles open up more easily.
"I'm someone who's been there, and they know when they talk to me that I know what they're talking about," he says. "It's the same story for everyone that's been a gambling addict."
Mr Preston stresses that he is there to help.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/northern-news/7609461/Scribe-fights-gambling
While September 1 was officially "gamble-free day", Scribe had been promoting his message of gambling awareness since his journey started in Invercargill two weeks ago.
It is Scribe's second year involved in the campaign to help end problem gambling in the country.
The message is that a day free from gambling happens by choice and not by chance and, because of that, the community is encouraged to learn more about what problem gambling is and where to get help.
"It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but as long as we teach the new generation coming through - make them aware of the facts and the dangers of becoming addicted to pokies and gambling - there's hope," Scribe says.
Scribe says his addiction to pokies and gambling became news on a very public scale. But he's been in recovery for four years.
His perspective has changed since the days he led a "rock ‘n' roll lifestyle". The Christchurch-based hip-hop artist says now that he's been through two earthquakes and some family disruptions, different things in life have gained importance. But in his younger days, the addiction had a hold of him.
"Every country I'd go to, I'd spend time in the casinos when I wasn't performing," he says.
It led to the end of his relationship with his former partner.
"The thing is with gambling, it's an addiction that's easily concealed, it's not like drinking or drugs where it's pretty easy to see.
"It's one that people can keep secret and it doesn't discriminate." Scribe says he has met addicts from all walks, including CEOs of companies and those who are on benefits.
Nga Manga Puriri health promotion adviser Te Hiwi Preston, who organised the Kaikohe event, explains that his organisation provides free services to all Northland communities and helps a wide range of people.
"A problem gambler can be someone who spends $20 a week and can't afford that, or it can be someone who spends $1000 a week, can afford that, but it's affecting their families."
Gambling can have wide-reaching and long-term effects, he says.
The Whangarei group is mobile and tries to help communities throughout the region.
Mr Preston says he personally does not have a gambling addiction but he has family members who have issues currently.
"There are many individuals who have a problem with gambling, but we don't quite know the statistics, that's the thing we're quite concerned about. We know that it's a problem in our communities, but it's whether the individual seeks help for those problems, or whether they admit it to themselves," Mr Preston says.
"It's about controlling your addiction, being safe and having good support systems so it doesn't become a problem," Scribe says.
And while he will still play games like Texas Hold ‘Em, he will not play pokies. He hears stories on the road, that he can relate to, perhaps those who know of his troubles open up more easily.
"I'm someone who's been there, and they know when they talk to me that I know what they're talking about," he says. "It's the same story for everyone that's been a gambling addict."
Mr Preston stresses that he is there to help.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/northern-news/7609461/Scribe-fights-gambling
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