| <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: | | | | are more likely to increase drug use in marginal |
| 0.21cm } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> | | | | athletes who eventually cease participation. This is |
| In the course of your child's high school career, he | | | | where a program like Life of an Athlete is |
| or she may be pressured numerous times to use | | | | beneficial. |
| drugs or alcohol. Many concerned parents not only | | | | |
| use home drug tests to keep their children | | | | What the Program Teaches |
| accountable, but encourage their participation in an | | | | |
| innovative drug prevention program called "The | | | | The program introduces athletes to the risks of |
| Life of an Athlete", which inspires kids to stay | | | | drug use: alcohol and drug use interrupts the sleep |
| clean. | | | | cycle, inhibits the ability to learn new information, |
| | | | | and can cause loss of motor coordination, |
| About the Program | | | | dehydration and a decrease in growth hormones. |
| | | | | It also can inhibit the absorption of nutrients and |
| Originating in New Mexico, which has the highest | | | | affect both aerobic metabolism and endurance, all |
| percentage of students who begin drinking by the | | | | of which might negate the benefits of training, |
| age of 13, the Life of an Athlete Program is a | | | | increase the chance of injury and slow healing |
| nationwide alcohol and drug prevention program | | | | times. |
| that focuses on middle and high school athletes. It | | | | |
| was designed to send a clear message that | | | | How the Program Helps Parents and Coaching |
| athletes should not use alcohol or drugs because it | | | | Staff |
| diminishes performance. | | | | |
| | | | | The Life of an Athlete program helps parents and |
| Why the Program is Beneficial | | | | coaches to recognize the extent of substance |
| | | | | abuse in athletes and to develop an action plan to |
| As the parent of a high school athlete, it is likely | | | | promote an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle. It also |
| that you have signed a permission form each | | | | helps parents and coaches respond when a |
| year giving your consent for the mandatory drug | | | | substance abuse problem exists and prevents |
| testing that most athletic programs require. High | | | | further drug use in the athletic program. |
| school athletic departments often simply use a | | | | |
| home drug test or other drug testing program to | | | | The combination of parents using a home drug |
| perform random drug testing. | | | | test to help their children stay clean and |
| | | | | supporting unique programs like The Life of an |
| While mandatory drug testing has proven to | | | | Athlete, provides students with a supportive |
| decrease drug use in dedicated athletes, | | | | environment which inspires them to stay clean |
| government studies have shown that these tests | | | | and perform to the best of their ability. |