Jah Foresight, Contributor

I am addicted to love. I listened to a speech recently where there is a fear that some Jamaicans are addicted to gambling. This is indeed a very sad state to be in. I have never met a lotto addict as yet. I feel that the longer time you spend around a game the easier the addiction. I know as a fact that the slot machine located in most depressed areas or bars is seen as a means of occupation. Every morning certain men will turn up for work at this machine. The little cash in hand is the tool and it is their job to transform this money in such a way, that some food can be on the table. This is the honest means that these players earn bread.

The race horse industry is another sector that has some form of dependence as well. Men and women will travel every Saturday to the park to watch and gamble on horses. There is even the sub-industry of selling tips. Many men have lost their women due to Caymanas Park. I do not mean that they have gambled away their mate. My message is that 'Joe Grine' has taken over when they are gone to work at the park. It is such a dangerous situation, if alcohol is involved. The man will tend to wash away his sorrows when he is losing. The situation gets worse, if he is abusive to his mate and children. One of the biggest mistakes is if you did not make a budget for the game of chance and you spend the entire wage cheque on a horse.

I do not think that a person can be addicted to lotto and even the 'drop pan'. Whenever a person ventures to buy tickets, they normally just spend a few seconds at the machine, pay for, receive, and move along. It is not normal to see a buyer returning to buy different tickets ten times for the day. It is in the casino that gambling can be really addictive. Addiction is generally the time that you spend around the game. If you decide that you are going to spend the night at the casino, this can be addictive. This is no different from the domino game. There are a lot of men who play up to early morning for money and leave their wives in bed feeling cold. That is where I come in the game.

Create a budget

My advice is that time is hard, so create a budget so that your habit is not a burden to family life. Addiction is frequent in folks with low self-esteem. I have met cokeheads but I have never met a lotto-head.

I have been hearing some sad news that political violence is pushing out his head. I have accepted that the prime minister's repeated statement that she is the person who will fly the gate. I have started to feel the hunger for power already. Some civil servants have already got their threats about losing their jobs if government ever change. I have noticed that there are deep class distinctions between the two parties in this number game. The question that scares me is what would happen if Portia loses or the Opposition remains as the opposition for another term?

The jackpot for last Saturday was safe and the money increased to $19 million. The numbers were: 3, 9, 16, 30, 31, 35 and the bonus ball was 22. The consecutive numbers were 30 and 31 and I think that number 35 is the number that kept the jackpot growing. There was one winner of $443,431.There was no winner last Wednesday and the jackpot is now at $22 million. The numbers were: 4, 6, 7, 19. 21, 32 and the bonus number was 37. The consecutive numbers were 6 and 7 and one winner of $403,580.

I passed a wounded donkey in Holland Bamboo recently. I feel it was hit by a vehicle and was left to suffer. Who is responsible to take care of these asses? Should it be left there for another accident? Should it be killed or treated by a vet? Who determines the execution of animals?

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