Recently, I was challenged on the social issues resulting from casinos in our vicinity. Most of what The Gazette covers is economic this year. In 2003 and in 2005, The Gazette had articles on the social problems communities encounter after casinos come in. Also, Harvard did a study for Iowa on our gambling treatment program. Those articles and Harvard’s study showed what the National Council on Problem Gambling website (www.npgaw.org) shows: Gambling addiction rises and so do bankruptcies, crime, drug abuse, spouse and child abuse and suicides.

Linn County will need more police, counselors (family, drug, etc.), and welfare centers. Yes, that means more workers, but do you want that kind of job opportunity? We don’t.

I wish pastors and church leaders in our county would be more vocal. Surely you see these problems in your congregations already. Stand up to this source of addiction and hedonism and speak out.

Sandra Wolcott

Cedar Rapids