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Frank Finely, video producer for the Missouri Lottery, was selected to receive the 2009 Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling's Service Award for his superior vision, dedication and work on the 2008 "Beat Addiction: Choose the Right Path" youth prevention video.

"Frank spent dozens of hours lining up interviews and subjects for the video, as well as hundreds of hours writing the scripts, hunting locations and props, setting up and filming the various scenes, interviewing the former addicts, editing the video footage, adding music, having it translated into Spanish and bringing it all together into one 30-minute video," said Susan Goedde, communications manager for the Missouri Lottery.

The updated program, which is geared towards students in grades 6 through 12, began being distributed to Missouri schools in August.

In addition, the Kentucky and Connecticut lotteries also requested copies of the video, which Finley tailored to meet these states' specific needs.

Finley also provided the video to local cable access channels that have aired the video dozens of times, gaining thousands of dollars of free publicity for the Alliance's cause.

"I had a lot of fun working on this project," said Finley. "It was challenging at times, but the end result was worth it. I hope this program helps students struggling with various addictions by raising awareness and showing students that they can turn their lives around."

The award is given in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling over the course of the past year by an individual or representative of a member organization.