This issue of Perspectives looks at some topics that touch on how we spend our free time—for better and for worse.

In the past two decades gambling has evolved from a very restricted activity into one that's widely available to U.S. citizens. For some, however, this choice of entertainment becomes a crippling addiction. This issue's cover story explores the combination of research and treatment being undertaken at the University by a faculty member and his graduate students to tackle the problem.

Other feature stories in this issue examine the horror movie genre here and abroad, profile a retired SIUC botanist who took the lead in publicizing the scenic treasures of our national forests, and look at the dangers of cell-phone use while driving. Several of these articles, and three of our Research Survey pieces, feature recent books by our faculty that are of particular public interest—on topics from rock & roll to the effectiveness of police gang units.

High-tech research continues to blossom at SIUC as well. We have nearly 40 patents pending in materials science, biotechnology, environmental and energy applications, and other areas. This past February we celebrated the opening of the first new building of several planned for the Southern Illinois Research Park. More than $2 million in federal support to date has fueled the research park, designed to help bring University innovations out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.