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Contact us today to discuss having Michael Franzese speak at your next event. Perfect for Athletic Programs, Church Events, Student Activities Events, Corporate Events, or Business, Law, and Criminal Justice Schools.
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TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE
Michael, I recently heard you on a previously recorded interview on The Jim Rome Show. I'm currently awaiting federal sentencing, facing a suggested sentence beginning at 57 months. I have lost my home, car, girlfriend, job, all to gambling. While I'm out on bond I've continued to gamble primarily on internet poker and horses even though I'm only 4 weeks away from being sentenced. Nothing has convinced me to seek help until I heard you. I will be attending my first GA meeting this afternoon and the passion I once had for going to the track or playing poker I'm going to try to direct that towards getting better. Everything you said rang so true. I was a division I athlete and played professionally for two years. Thank you for telling the truth. Gambling is a serious problem for many athletes no matter what level. Never having been incarcerated or knowing anyone who has I'm scared to death. I only hope to come out of prison half the man it sounds like you've become. I look forward to reading the book. THANK YOU again.
THE GAME PLAN TO FIGHT THE CRISIS
What follows is an overview of the BREAKING OUT GAMBLING ADDICTION PREVENTION program, a plan designed to provide the best opportunity for state and local educators to be on the leading edge in this effort to educate youth and help prevent and deter gambling addiction.
At a presentation in 2005 to the National Federation of High School Assemblies, the delegates from all 50 states said gambling was a growing issue for their 18,000 member schools, but they have no tools to educate and prevent youth gambling addiction. How can they fight the glorification of gambling by ESPN, Fox Sports, and other leading media legitimizing gambling as a "sport"? We have a resounding answer that combines the proven technique of combining elements of entertainment with solid teaching from a respected authority.
For more than a decade, Michael Franzese has been involved in education about gambling issues. It began a short time before his release from prison when he participated in an interview that was part of a video used by the NCAA and professional sports leagues. From there it grew to visits to all MLB teams, and has since taken him to annual MLB and NBA rookie camps, more than 150 college campuses, two ACFA conferences, and a presentation to the NFL's San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins at the invitation of their respective coaches. This year he visits all MLB teams at Spring Training.
CREDIBILITY IS THE KEY TO IMPACT
Michael's presentation combines the credibility of years on the wrong side of the law in gambling matters, which provide ample illustrations of gambling dangers, with the wisdom of warnings against the risk of addiction, affiliation with unsavory characters, and risk of character and credibility. He reinforces real life stories with statistics and research to drive home the critical nature of gambling addiction and related issues.
The plan we propose combines Michael's hard hitting message with a three screen, multi-media presentation that can be used as a tool in every high school and middle school in the country. The presentation concept has been used effectively by MADD to combat drunk driving and Motivational Media Systems to provide general positive information to students about drugs, lifestyle choices, etc. It is unique, provides direct impact using media that communicates well with the youth culture. Adding to the credibility of the approach, the creator of MADD's program will direct the presentation for Breaking Out and Michael Franzese.
State governments are beginning to address what they recognize as a growing crisis. Already California has this plan under consideration for bid.
NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE THE LEAD.
WE CAN EITHER MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PREVENT ADDICTION AND THE RELATED PROBLEMS, OR WE CAN WAIT FOR THEM TO FALL VICTIM AND FIND THEMSELVES IN A CRISIS. AS THE OLD AXIOM SAYS - "AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE" . . . OR "A LITTLE PRECAUTION BEFORE A CRISIS OCCURS IS PREFERABLE TO A LOT OF REHAB AFTERWARD."
YOUTH GAMBLING ADDICTION PREVENTION PROGRAM:
TO PROMOTE EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT FOR YOUTHFUL PROBLEM GAMBLERS
For the past several years, Franzese has been having direct impact on NCAA Colleges, MLB, NBA, and AFCA. This proposal will center on middle and high school concepts, building off the platform and credibility the decade of success has garnered.
We will build on the effective model developed by Motivational Media Assemblies and MADD. They developed a multimedia presentation that combines a three screen visual impact with a dynamic sound system, presenting a message that integrates a powerful message with clips from movies and music youth will recognize. Building on that hardware model, we will present groundbreaking content to combat gambling.
The content is designed around a video taped presentation by Michael Franzese which incorporates the story of his life in the Mafia with the dangers of the BUSINESS OF GAMBLING, honed from 10 years speaking to professional and collegiate athletes. He will talk about the realistic chances of winning at video poker, the likelihood of a career as a professional card player, the illegality of online gambling, the dangers of Internet funds transfer to gambling sites off shore, and the consequences of failing to pay a gambling debt to a bookie or gambling operation. He will further explain how gambling too often leads to other addictions, criminal behavior, financial ruin, and personal destruction.
THE PRESENTATION
To enhance the impact, the program is designed to incorporate film clips and music shown on three video screens with superior sound reinforcement. The idea is to use contemporary media to provide an entertainment value which physiologists agree lower the barriers to communicating effectively.
TRUTH IS THE ONLY "SURE BET . . .
YOUTH GAMBLING IS A CRITICAL ISSUE
Michael Franzese is uniquely qualified to deliver a hard hitting message about the dangers of gambling. As a former capo in the Colombo Family in New York's organized crime network, he was #18 on Fortune Magazine's "50 Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses." With the appeal of films like Godfather, Donnie Brasco, and Goodfellas, and the hit HBO series The Sopranos, Michael's past makes him an appealing communicator to youth. Part of Michael's expertise was
gambling operations.
In early August 2004, ESPN did a four part series on gambling, with one segment devoted to youth gambling. It told the story of a high school boy addicted to poker. In mid-October, Fox News Online did a piece on gambling addictions. The amazing growth of Internet gambling takes the vice into the bedrooms, dorms, and family rooms of youth across the country. The experts agree - this is a dangerous trend.
"The scope of sports wagering among intercollegiate student-athletes is startling and disturbing, Sports wagering is a double-threat because it harms the well-being of student-athletes and the integrity of college sports."
NCAA President Myles Brand, NCAA Gambling Report
As with other addictions, the compulsive gambler's problem takes a toll on the family and his work life. Studies have linked problem gambling to domestic violence, child neglect/abuse, and a higher divorce rate. "Compulsive gambling destroys the family,"
Ed Loomey , New Jersey Council on Compulsive Gambling
The statistics are alarming. A survey of adolescents found that more than 80 percent of those between 12 and 17 say they have gambled in the last 12 months. More than 35 percent say they gamble at least once a week. Clearly, gambling addiction is not just an adult problem.
Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery
An alarmingly high percentage of children and adolescents have reported engaging in gambling activities. In one of our recent studies, we found 80.2% of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 reported having gambled (defined as wagering money) during the past 12 months, with 35.1% admitting gambling at least once per week. The data further revealed that while 55% of adolescents were casual or recreational gamblers, 13% reported having some gambling related problems and 4%to 6% had a serious problem (Gupta & Derevensky, 1998)
eGambling: The Electronic Journal of Gambling Issues
Quote from a student gambler:
"If my life was a tree, one branch would be that I'm a thief, another branch is that I'm a liar, another being that I'm no longer in school, and another being that I no longer have my parents' trust and respect, and I'm not permitted to live in their home. But if you cut off each of the branches you still haven't gotten to the root of the problem which is my gambling."
Health Teacher (newsletter): Youth Gambling
EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT
THE ONLY SURE BET TO IMPACT A DANGEROUS GAMBLING TREND
When adults choose to participate in activities that impact their life - alcohol abuse, drugs, criminal activity, pornography, or any number of things similar in nature - families, employers, and the community at large is adversely effected. But those choices began long before adulthood.
Hollywood, television, and the Internet have popularized, and made accessible, vices that once were restricted to back rooms and bordellos. Gambling was not something flaunted. However, in today's society, the growth of gambling casinos, Internet betting, and the glorification of the associated lifestyle is having a dramatic negative impact, not only on our adult population, but more importantly, our youth.
There is an old expression - garbage in - garbage out. What goes into the mind changes the heart and too often changes the course of life for an individual. Just like the impact of porn on the rapist or pedophile, the mass exposure of gambling through broadcast, cable, and Internet systems has impacted our youth - for bad and not for good.
From the back rooms of bars and secret places to the family rooms, dorms, and Internet . . .
The available research is certainly compelling evidence that those influences mean our youth are at risk. Whereas one had to travel in days past to encounter such activity, or find a game in a back room, today's youth need but turn on ESPN to find World Championship Poker - which by ESPN's own series on gambling - destroyed the life of a 17 year old boy. The accessibility of gambling on the Internet has grown in such a manner that there is virtually a casino in every home, every bedroom or dorm, that has access to the web. It is done in the same dark places as porn, with the same "anonymity." In reality, the credit card access clearly identifies the one concealed on the other side of the computer. Radio shows scream advertisements promising "stone cold locks" if you lay your bet now!!! Yet compelling evidence demonstrates those "sure locks" are no more than somewhat calculated guesswork, not necessarily based on any reliable information - seen clearly in the feature film, "Two For The Money," (based on a true story) released in theaters in the fall of 2005. People pay thousands for the advice, and inevitably end up losing thousands more on the bets.
This is the war we face - one we have chosen - it is the war for a generation at risk.
Our war must begin with Education. Because gambling is not seen as an addictive vice, until one is deep in its grasp, youth are drawn to the allure of riches, and glory. The challenge is to attack gambling like drugs, alcohol, or smoking. We must attack the problem before it begins - in the school systems with effective messages telling the truth about the dangers that lie ahead of gambling's seduction - showing the end to avoid the beginning. We have to reprogram the thought processes of youth with better values in this regard - shock & awe. Remember health classes showing a brain destroyed by alcohol - mangled bodies victims of drunk driving?
The goal of Education is Prevention. Stopping the addiction before it starts means repositioning the image of gambling from desirable to destructive, from seductive to senseless, from riches to ruin. To do this we must utilize the same entertainment values that attract youth like a moth to a flame - music, video, truth.
For those already caught in the trap, we must point to hope and Treatment. We have to show them a way out that offers security, anonymity, and a hope for the future.
Since 1996, Michael Franzese has dedicated a large portion of his time traveling to collegiate and professional athletes at for the major leagues and the NCAA. His message is clear. Gambling will surely destroy their life, just as it did with Pete Rose and other notable celebrities. It can destroy young athletes, cripple collegiate programs, and tarnish a college for years. His credibility as an authority makes him the most unique and significant weapon available to those wanting to combat this destructive force capturing the minds of our youth.
OUR GOAL
IT IS OUR DESIRE TO PARTNER WITH THE APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS TO ATTACK THE GROWING GAMBLING CRISIS AMONG YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS. WE HAVE CONSIDERABLE DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE THAT WILL DEMONSTRATE BOTH THE CRISIS WE HAVE DESCRIBED AS WELL AS MICHAEL'S CREDIBILITY AND THE IMPACT HE HAS ON THE AUDIENCE EVIDENCED BY THEIR THOUGHTS ON GAMBLING. THE IDEAS PRESENTED ARE A PLACE TO BEGIN EXPLORATION OF A RELATIONSHIP THAT WOULD CREATE AN ALLIANCE DEDICATED TO THIS COMMON CAUSE -
SAVING YOUTH FROM THE CLAWS OF GAMBLING'S GRIP
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