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Home | Archived Webinars

Student-Athletes and Substance Abuse

 

Back-to-school and the beginning of fall athletics is the perfect time to talk to you student about the dangers of substance abuse.  ACT Missouri and The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is using this time to educate on the dangers of athletics and alcohol/performance enhancing substances.

Alcohol

For years parents have supported their young athlete by driving them to practices, pitching balls, coaching their teams, cheering them on when they are losing, paying traveling expenses, and enduring extreme weather on uncomfortable bleachers. Parents want their children to succeed, and encouraging them to become refined athletes is a good start in building resiliency and teaching necessary life skills. Now that they are in high school and possibly driving themselves, you may think that you have done your part. While it is true that most athletes are dedicated to their health, team, and sport, they also have a tremendous amount of pressure to succeed, be their peer’s leaders, and succumb to alcohol use. Common sense tells you that alcohol and athletics is a losing combination, so don’t turn a blind eye to the fact that your star athlete may be drinking.  The solution: talk, talk, talk. Team rules are great, but they’re just the beginning. If your child has to agree to team rules before the start of the season, use them as a conversation starter. You are still the most impactful influence in your child’s life. We know that “kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use than those who do not”. (The Partnership at Drugfree.org)

Enhance this influence by educating yourself on how alcohol affects athletic performance. “Many athletes tend to underestimate the way in which alcohol use (even a few drinks) can erase the effects of a hard workout, reduce endurance, and compromise the mental game.” (Janis Meredith, Alcohol and Athletics Don’t Mix, redding.com, 6/20/12)

In all, “One night of drinking negates two weeks of athletic training!!!”(American Athletic Institute, 2005).

 

Performance Enhancing Substances

Performance enhancing substances are also a concern with student-athletes.  Student-athletes are often under an immense amount of pressure, and may turn to PES in order to “get an edge” on the competition.  However, because youth are still developing physically and mentally, they can suffer extreme side effects.  It is important to talk to your student-athlete about the effects of using these substances and emphasizing that winning isn’t everything, especially at the cost of their health.

What can you do to help your student-athlete?

  • Limiting their free time and access to alcohol will take the pressure to drink off of them.
  • Be part of the 80% of Missouri parents that don’t give alcohol to kids (their own or others!) Empower them with personal stories. Share your own experiences and past occurrences in your community that involved alcohol.
  • Be an active part of substance-free celebrations. Things like cook-outs and pizza parties are great substance-free ways to cap-off a good season! Be clear on the fact that underage drinking is illegal and your household does not support it.
  • Encourage them to never get into a car with someone who has been drinking. Assure them that you are available to support them, no matter what. Have a special code like “I forgot to feed the cat” that they can either call you with or text you to come get them if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation.
  • Know the facts on the different types of Performance Enhancing Substances.

Other Resources

Be sure to watch the Play Healthy webinar from The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. The Play Healthy program is designed to help parents, coaches, and other concerned adults gain a better understanding of performance enhancing substances so that they can help youth athletes make healthier and safer decisions. Also be sure to nominate your coach and player for the Commissioner’s Play Healthy Award! The applications are due by October 31st.

 

 

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in Missouri

A recent article in the New York Times has brought national attention to Missouri, but not necessarily for a good reason.  Missouri is the only state in the United States that does not have a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).  According to the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL), a PDMP is a statewide electronic database which collects designated data on substances dispensed in the state. The PDMP is housed by a specified statewide regulatory, administrative or law enforcement agency. The housing agency distributes data from the database to individuals who are authorized under state law to receive the information for purposes of their profession.

Prescription drug abuse is not something to take lightly.  The Medicine Abuse Project shows that 1 in 4 teens report having misused or abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime.  Studies have shown that when PDMPs are created and used the correct way, prescription drug abuse decreases. Opponents to a PDMP point to privacy concerns, while proponents argue that 49 other states have found a way to make it safe.

 
Source

ACT Missouri recently hosted a webinar from Coach Jim Marshall on the importance of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.  Coach Marshall uses his son’s story to teach on the importance of drug education in schools and prevention in communities. In his webinar, he talks about the importance of establishing a PDMP in Missouri, as well as what Missouri citizens can do. This webinar is archived, and available for viewing.

One of the points Coach Marshall stressed is the importance of participation in a PDMP being mandatory.  Before Maine made their PDMP mandatory in early 2014, only 40% of prescribers participated.  A recent article in the Bangor Daily News highlights Maine’s experience and shows the importance of PDMP’s. “The biggest impact of Maine’s and other [monitoring] programs has been to slow down and to prevent the most rapid escalation of overdose and death and abuse involving the opioids,” says John Eadie, director of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Center of Excellence at Brandeis University.

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