On Nov. 6, 1984, the people of Oregon, in a desperate attempt to find funds for statewide programs amid a recession, approved the legalization and formation of the Oregon Lottery. Many heralded this move as a solution to economic development programs throughout the state. Others simply convinced themselves they would soon become millionaires.

A group of responsible lawmakers recognized the potential dangers inherent in a lottery. While most people play for fun and amusement, approximately 2.5 percent of the population has an addiction to gambling.

Gambling addiction is as devastating as any other addiction. As with Alcohol or drugs, most addicts are unable to stop without critical treatment. As with Alcohol and drugs, addiction to gambling can leave families and lives bankrupt, broken and destroyed. And as with Alcohol and drugs, the social costs of gambling addiction include higher risks for divorce, depression and suicide.

Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes 461.549 and 409.435, approval of the lottery required setting aside 1 percent of the revenue for the treatment and prevention of gambling addiction. Managed through the Department of Health and Human Services, this tiny portion of the overall revenue has created one of the best gambling treatment and prevention programs in the country, providing treatment free of charge. The professionals in this program are required to pass rigorous statewide certification and to maintain ongoing educational credits and client contact hours. The development of an effective and highly trained therapist takes years.

Today, 64 percent of lottery revenues are dedicated to public education, 20 percent to economic development, 7.5 percent to state parks, 7.5 percent to watershed enhancement, and 1 percent to gambling treatment and prevention. Considering the highly trained staff, the depth of the programs, and the low recidivism rates, it is one of the most efficient ways of spending government money.

With the current fiscal crisis, our Legislature is proposing elimination of the entire gambling addiction treatment program. Not only does this dismantle a program with a national reputation, the consequences of the loss of the program's seasoned professional staff would incalculable. It will be difficult at best to re-establish such a program when the economy improves. It could take years to bring it back to today's level of quality.

Treating problem gambling saves Oregon money. Every problem gambler costs taxpayers at least $11,304 per year in increased crime, lost work time, bankruptcies and financial hardships. It costs only $1,224 to treat one gambler.

No tax dollars are involved in funding gambling treatment, and maintaining the program requires no new money. The statutes stipulate that the money be set aside from lottery profits. The prevalence of problem gambling has remained stable or declined, while gambling revenue has more than doubled. This is directly due to the funding of prevention and treatment system.

We have established a top-notch program that has been emulated in other states. The elimination of funding would be a severe setback for the state of Oregon. And the elimination of funding would be a violation of the statutory requirement established with the Oregon Lottery. If we take away the treatment funding, the lottery should also go. Can we afford to lose this revenue?

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today, Members of the Joint Legislative Ways and Means Committee will be at Prince Lucien Campbell Hall on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene to hear from the public regarding proposed budget cuts and funding. I encourage everyone to come out and be heard.