Over five million U.S. high school students participate in athletics. Although high school sports can be a powerful positive influence in a student athlete’s life, becoming attached to a team or sport’s standard to follow negative influences, such as drug and alcohol use, is a possible reality that coaches and parents need to be concerned about.
Bonnie L. Barber, PhD, of the University of Arizona, in a study that involved 1259 students that participated in athletics or extra-curricuular activities (band, speech and debate, drama etc.) found that athletes were more likely to use drugs and alcohol, than non-athletes in extra-curricular school activities.
Acording to Kevin Ringhofer and Martha Harding, Coaching for Prevention facilitators, three “key messages” are necessary for our high school athletes to see and hear to curb or prevent alcohol and drug use. They include:
- Adults (parents, coaches and community members) send clear and consitent messages regarding non-use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
- School and community activity staff members become role models and a source of information for athletes.
- What school and community activity leaders do is as important as what they say.
- For more information regarding Coaching for Prevention call: 1-800-782-1878
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