UNLV and the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling will host a continuing education seminar entitled "Addiction Issues: The Relationship Between Substance Abuse and Problem Gambling" from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 at the International Gaming Institute at UNLV.

Designed for addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, nurses, social workers, and other mental health professionals, the seminar will explore a variety of topics, including pathological gambling and substance abuse, counseling and treatment methods, internet gambling, and compulsive day trading. During the seminar, participants will focus on translating traditional substance abuse knowledge and counseling experience into a problem gambling context.

"Problem gambling is a community health issue that must be addressed as such," said Carol O'Hare, executive director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. "By partnering with UNLV we are able to bring this problem into the academic environment and encourage both students and professionals to learn more about this important issue."

UNLV's department of counseling currently offers undergraduate minors in addiction treatment and prevention, as well as an addictions studies concentration at the graduate level.

"The department of counseling has a long history of producing highly qualified addictions counselors," said Larry Ashley, assistant professor of counseling at UNLV and coordinator of its addictions studies program. "UNLV has positioned itself to be a major community and university partner in substance abuse and problem gambling issues and will continue to be a leader in addressing these significant social problems."

Among the featured presenters at the seminar will be Kevin O'Neill, a licensed clinical social worker and former vice president and founding board member of the Association of Professionals Treating Problem Gambling. He is the former deputy director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey and is considered an international expert on problem gambling. Other presenters include Bo Bernhard, director of gambling research and associate professor of sociology at UNLV; Carol O'Hare of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling; Dr. Rena Nora, of the VA Medical Center; and Lori Rugle, of Trimeridian, Inc.

The cost of the seminar is $40 for members of the public if they register before Sept. 20. Students with a valid school I.D. may attend for $20. Cost includes lunch and a CEU certificate. To register or to receive more information, call the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling at (702) 369-9740.

The event is co-sponsored by the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and UNLV's College of Liberal Arts, the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, and the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.