Gambling Awareness Nova Scotia has been shut down.

It was an organization devoted to gambling prevention, addiction awareness and research, but the Department of Health and Wellness has decided to change its strategy on tackling gambling addiction.

In a statement to CTV Atlantic, the department said those efforts will now be lumped in with “other mental health and addictions issues.”

Some question the timing of the decision, during the pandemic, including gambling addictions advocate Don Bishop, who is watching the situation closely.

“Our youngest son took his own life at age 32,” Bishop said.

Bishop’s son, Eric, was addicted to VLT gambling.

“We weren’t looking for sympathy we were looking for action,” said Bishop.

Bishop became an anti-gambling advocate and he does work in New Brunswick and nationally.