The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced $3.1 million in grants to organizations supporting problem gambling prevention among youth and expanding workforce development programs for agencies that provide treatment.

Story continues below

According to DPH, the 2021 MA Youth Health Survey found that 42.4 percent of high school and 43.47 percent of middle school students had gambled in the previous year.

The DPH Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) will provide $2.1 million to the Youth Leaders in Problem Gambling Prevention initiative, a peer-to-peer program that actively engages young people, from 12 to 21 years old, in problem gambling prevention.

Youth Leaders in Problem Gambling Prevention will build programs that empower youth led and developed problem gambling prevention, advocacy, and strategies to raise awareness of problem gambling.