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"It's not possible to be an effective, ethical coach today unless we address drug use on
regular basis and set very clear standards that we enforce."
-- A Coach from Boston |
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Playbook for Parents: ENSURE A WINNING SEASON
 While involvement in sports and extra-curricular activities can play an important role
in preventing teen drug use, don’t assume your child is immune to the pressures of using
drugs, alcohol or steroids because of their participation
in athletics. In fact, pressure to win may increase the odds of steroid use, even by teenagers.
All teens are at risk.
Win or lose, support your teenager’s participation in sports. Whether at the team or individual
level, in sports that are recreational or competitive, the benefits of being involved are immeasurable.
Being active in sports builds character, commitment, good judgment, healthy bodies, social skills and
lifelong friendships.
Even though professional sports and athletes may send especially confusing signals to a young athlete
about the consequences of drug use, parents can set the record straight by explaining the repercussions
and understanding prevalence of drug use.
- Every day, approximately 4,700 American youths ages 12-17 try marijuana for the first time.
- By the time they reach 8th grade, nearly half of all teens have had at least one drink of alcohol. More than 20 percent say they have been “drunk.”
- More teens are in treatment for a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependency than for all other illicit drugs combined.
- As many as 1.1 million young people ages 12-17 have taken a performance-enhancing drug or sport supplement. Many sports supplements are easily available to teens at stores, on the Internet and from other sources.
- Anabolic steroids, typically available only by prescription, were used by 2.1 percent of 12th graders surveyed in 2003.
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Parents and coaches must MAKE THE RULES CLEAR. NO DRUGS AND NO DRINKING. With your encouragement,
young athletes can be winners in sports and in the game of life.
More on drugs and steroids:
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