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The Gambling Treatment Diversion Court (GTDC) marked its first-ever graduation ceremony Tuesday. 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. The Nevada Counsel on Problem Gambling estimates that problem gambling is a community health issue that may affect up to six percent of Nevada adults.
Treatment for the 12 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.
“I commend our first graduates of the Gambling Treatment Diversion Court. Their success, despite all the turmoil caused by the pandemic, is great cause for hope for the many individuals in our community who struggle with problem gambling,” said Judge Linda Marie Bell, who presides over the GTDC. “I also applaud the hard work of Judge Cheryl Moss, specialty court staff, and our community partners to get the program up and running.”
The GTDC commenced in November 2018. 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.
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 currently has 11 participants and is in session every other Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
The GTDC program is one of the Eighth Judicial District specialty courts that solve issues through a rigorous and coordinated approach between judges, specialty court coordinators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, Parole and Probation, law enforcement and mental health/social service/treatment professionals. All work together to help participants recover, live crime-free and become productive citizens.
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