PM, ban gambling in bars

THE EDITOR: Open letter to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

Our country, our youth and our families are experiencing a lot of problems.

I have noticed the trend of slot machines and other forms of gambling in every little bar on every little street.

We have lost too many of our youths to drugs and gangs. Please do something before we lose the rest to gambling addiction.

I have also seen that our young men are no longer interested in playing pool and in fact some bars have gotten rid of pool tables and replaced them with gambling machines. Mr Prime Minister, ban these in the bars and rum shops that our youth frequent.

I have seen families torn apart by gambling and I am seeing the impact on families today.

There are families who are at risk of losing their homes because the fathers are the sole bread winners but, unfortunately, their earnings are going into these machines hoping to win big one day.

There are other families where there are quarrels, strife and disunity because the husbands/fathers are out late at night drinking and gambling.

Mr Prime Minister, the family is the bedrock of society but too many of our families leave much to be desired.

Please use your office to save our youth and families.

SARAH MOHAMMED via e-mail