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COACHING
& SPORT
by Deborah
Cadorette & co-author Dusty
Oates
Drugs:
Student-athletes need direction and
opportunities for peer feedback
This month pelinks4u Coaching
& Sport Section provides information
and links to sites that may provide
helpful suggestions for coaches, administrators,
and the school community about drug
topics, concerns and our relationship
with student-athletes. Drug-use among
our youth is generally a result of what
they are feeling -- or not. This is
a personal professional observation
established through thirty-eight years
of teaching, coaching, and administration
in public school system, and now higher
education.
The school setting provides an opportunity
for students to discuss peer actions.
It is essential to educate students
about effects of drugs on the human
body's physical and mental performance,
both short and long term. Teachers and
administrators, coaches and parents
should be kept current about drug use
among youth. Educators should be knowledgeable
in identifying the symptoms of such
use. Educating our children about the
(harmful) effects of drugs on the body
is much more effective than just saying
"no" to drugs.
Our children need opportunities to
think critically about drugs and the
effect it will have on them. As mentioned
in the introduction, there is generally
feelings involved with youth considering
drug use. From peer pressure or an undesirable
home environment, to wanting muscle
mass for performance - it will be the
student-athlete whose perception of
pros and cons will determine the risk.
It is our responsibility as professional
educators and caring adults to educate
students of these risks, and how making
wise decisions affect their performance
and/or lives.
Credible Leadership from Admin/Coach/Teachers
Athletic directors, coaches, and teachers
in leadership roles with student activities,
in an extended school day, are presented
with an ideal opportunity to build relationships
in a supportive environment within the
educational community. Students who
have credible adult leadership are more
likely to build trusting relationships
with adult leaders that positively influence
their peers. Students long to belong
and be accepted among peer groups.
Adults in leadership roles are presented
with numerous opportunities to supervise
peer groups who can positively influence
the student body. Drugs are one of numerous
concerns/topics youth need an opportunity
to discuss in an open forum environment.
Armed with facts, and the ability to
discourage judgment based on what one
believes to be right or wrong, forums
can foster an environment where students
are comfortable discussing peer pressures
that cause them discomfort. These forums
can resolve confusion, and provide a
safe haven for students to learn that
their peers share similar concerns.
Action Thoughts: Coach has a rainy
day. Practice takes place inside versus
the field. It's a perfect situation
to provide case scenarios selected randomly
from the pot. Numerous situations with
student-athletes can be prepared in
advance by the AD, coach, faculty and
administration regarding actual situations
occurring in their school or across
the state/nation - from character development
and decision making to drug use situations
and hazing. Create situations that will
force your students to make decisions
about what they would do, and why. Enforce
the "non-judgment" rule among
the students. Have the students work
in groups of 3 or 4 that you place together
if you know them well enough.
When I was an athletic director we
had opportunities to replicate situations
that took place in neighbor districts.
The students read the situation, and
knew they had an opportunity to voice
their opinion to disagree with the actual
outcome, and justify it among peers
in a safe environment. Often times the
students provided valuable input to
making wise decisions and policies.
What some adults believe to be fair
may be perceived by students as unfair.
Their justifications and interpretations
are important considerations in establishing
policies that will work among students.
In coaching education classes, in
higher education, numerous opportunities
arise among students to have meaningful,
productive discussions. Students, from
high schools across the nation, bring
high school sport experiences to the
table for discussion. They tell it all.
The students have strong opinions based
on their beliefs and principles, whether
it was in support of the coaches actions
or not. Students share words of gratitude
and deep respect for many coaches who
have provided positive influences in
their lives. They agree that educating
students about facts are far more effective
than just giving demands without facts.
School districts often have drug policies
and penalties in place that apply to
all students. Providing an opportunity
for students to actively discuss their
knowledge, opinions, and beliefs about
drugs and alcohol with peers would be
a desirable action for middle and secondary
levels of education within the public
school system. Each state and school
district has the opportunity to involve
students in decision making when it
comes to establishing policies for students.
This is a common practice in many school
districts, and found to be successful
when credible adult leadership is involved.
Questions Parents Should Ask:
How Does Your Child's
School Approach Substance Abuse?
According to the National
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse,
the following are ten questions every
parent should ask their child's school
about how they address drug and alcohol
use:
- What does the school do to keep
tobacco, alcohol, and drugs off school
premises?
- What education
and prevention programs are offered
children in what grades? Is it enough
to make a difference?
- Are teachers
and other staff trained to spot signs
of drug abuse and know how to respond?
- Are teachers
and other staff aware of circumstances
that place children at higher risk
of substance abuse, such as learning
disabilities, discipline problems,
eating disorders, depression and anxiety,
and frequent mobility from school
to school? If so, does the school
intervene early?
- What does
the school do if it suspects a child
may be smoking, drinking or using
drugs? Does the school tell the child's
parents?
- Does the
school screen or test for substance
use? If so, under what circumstances?
- If a substance
abuse problem is identified in a child,
what help does the school provide
- either directly or by referral?
- What action
does the school take if a child is
caught possessing or using alcohol,
cigarettes, or drugs - or selling
drugs?
- Does the
school engage parents, students, and
community organizations in substance
abuse prevention?
- What are
the substance use policies for teachers
and other school staff?
The above information was found at
About.com.
Bullies
Bullying is a big problem among school
age children. Since victims of bullies
usually don't seek help it is important
to look for signs that your child is
being bullied, signs which can include
trying to avoid going to school, having
a change in personality, or having a
change in grades. Talking about bullying
with your child may also help to prevent
your child from becoming a bully, or
discussion can teach him to inform an
adult if he sees another child being
bullied. For more information: Bullying
and Children.
Drug Abuse
Communication with your child is also
very important to help prevent them
from picking up bad habits, such as
the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs
(including the use of inhalants,
aerosols
and glue, and newer drugs like GHB
and Ecstasy
which many kids think are safe). Children
whose parents communicate with them
regularly are at much less risk for
experimenting with these substances.
Teach your kids how to avoid situations
where drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes
are present, and to choose friends who
also makes good choices. Emphasize how
these substances can hurt them, can
make them sick, can cause decreased
lung function and problems playing sports,
and that it is OK to say "no."
Also, do not let your child attend
parties that are unsupervised by adults.
Let your child know that he/she can
communicate freely with you about these
difficult subjects. Watch for warning
signs of drug use, including a sudden
change in your child's behavior or personality,
decreased performance in school, or
changes in friends they associate with.
The above information was found December
27, 2010 at About.com.
Fake Weed: K2 (article)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (CBS/A) It smokes
like marijuana, gets users high like
marijuana, it even sells at prices similar
to marijuana - but a new blend of herbs
and spices called K2 is completely legal
and law enforcement is struggling to
figure out how to handle it.
 "A
10-year-old child could walk into a
head shop and buy it," said Shawn
Rhoads, a police detective in West Plains,
Mo. "It's not a tobacco, it's not
regulated by anything. It would be like
sending my 10-year-old son into Walmart
to buy potpourri."
The substance, often called "Spice,"
"Genie," or "Zohai"
is sprayed with a synthetic compound
chemically similar to THC and mostly
made in China. It's smoked in joints
or pipes, just like the real deal. The
key ingredients are believed to be the
unintended result of scientific research.
Dr. John Huffman, a Clemson University
organic chemistry professor, was researching
the effects of cannabinoids on the brain
when his work resulted in a 1995 paper
that contained the method and ingredients
used to make the compound. That recipe
found its way to marijuana users, who
replicated Huffman's work and began
spraying it onto dried flowers, herbs
and tobacco. "People who use it
are idiots," said Huffman, referring
to K2
smokers.
It's banned in much of Europe, but
not yet regulated in the States. That's
likely to change. A Missouri bill seeks
to make possession punishable by up
to seven years in prison. A Kansas bill
would make possession a misdemeanor,
with up to a year in jail and a $2,500
fine. Both laws are identical to marijuana
penalties in those states.
No real science yet on whether the
substance is bad for you, although the
DEA says in mice it can lead to a lower
body temperature, partial paralysis
and the temporary inability to feel
pain, according to the DEA. But does
it lead to munchies? For now we don't
know.
JEFFERSON CITY,
Mo., March 4, 2010
Fake Weed "K2" Can
Cause Hallucinations
Toxicologists at three universities,
and two governmental agencies, have
launched a study into the effects
of a synthetic drug being used by some
smokers as a legal substitute to marijuana.
The drug is an unregulated mixture of
dried herbs, flowers and tobacco that
is covered with a synthetic compound
purported to give a high similar to
marijuana. It is commonly called "K2,"
Spice," Genie" and "Zohai."
One of the researchers involved in
the new study is Dr. Anthony Scalzo,
a toxicologist at Saint Louis University.
He told The Associated Press on Wednesday
that he has seen more than 30 cases
of Missouri teenagers having hallucinations,
severe agitation, elevated heart rates,
vomiting, seizures, and other reactions
to the substance.
Scalzo, who also directs the Missouri
Regional Poison Control Center at Cardinal
Glennon Children's Medical Center in
St. Louis, said the symptoms suggest
the drug affects users' cardiovascular
and central nervous systems. He said
the symptoms are not typical for those
who use marijuana. "It should not
be doing this; it should be doing the
opposite," Scalzo said. "They
think they're going to mellow, and that's
not what's happening."
The above information was found December
27, 2010 at CBS
News.
How One School District Reminds
Athletes of Expected Behaviors:
Living in a small town in the southeast
with a high profile university has many
advantages. Learning opportunities for
students and adults are available in
many areas. Major conference athletic
events become a part of most area resident’s
lives at a very early age. While enjoyable,
this presents a unique dilemma for high
school athletic programs.
In Clemson, on home football weekends,
tailgating is a tradition enjoyed by
families, alumni, and students. While
a great time for fellowship and game
anticipation, the tailgate presents
an opportunity for alcohol consumption
for many underage football fans, many
of which are participants in local high
school athletics.
The city of Clemson, and Clemson University,
have taken steps to make football Saturdays
an enjoyable family experience. Police
officers from both departments, along
with Pickens County sheriff deputies,
routinely monitor parking lots near
Death Valley. If alcohol is noticed,
routine ID checks are made for those
attending the tailgate. On a given Saturday,
an average of 50 to 60 minors in possession
tickets are written for those violating
the lawful drinking age law.
The athletic handbook for the School
District of Pickens County has a section
devoted to alcohol use by athletes.
The first violation requires the offending
athlete to sit out 10% of regular season
contests for their season. The 2nd requires
dismissal. If one of our athletes gets
a minor in possession, or MIP, the school
is notified and the athletic department
then becomes involved. The athletic
suspension would take place immediately
or during the next athletic season the
athlete participated in. While the violation
did not occur on school grounds, or
at a school sponsored activity, it is
a chargeable offense covered by the
athletic handbook.
While school and athletic department
personnel do not go looking for violators,
we do enforce suspensions when informed
of alcohol charges. Our athletes are
constantly reminded of vulnerable situations
they could find themselves in. Before
each athletic season, athletes and parents
are required to sign a code of conduct
which outlines expectations for the
athlete, including drug and alcohol
use. We put both the code and the contract
on our athletic web site for easy reference.
Additional opportunities to educate
our athletes are needed. Our job is
to use whatever means we have to educate
our athletes on potential dangers they
face every day.
Deborah
Cadorette is an Educational Specialist
in Educational Leadership with over
thirty years of professional experience
in education and sport. Current position:
Clemson University Eugene T. Moore School
of Education Faculty and Athletic Leadership
Program Coordinator.
Dusty
Oates is High School Athletic Director
and faculty for D.W Daniel High School,
Pickens County School District, S.C
and adjunct faculty with Clemson University.
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