What's the Answer?
I believe that kids generally use alcohol and tobacco, and possibly even drugs, because they think these things are ''cool'' and ''grown up.'' I also suspect that kids who use alcohol frequently abuse it, and engage in binge drinking. These problems are rampant everywhere, including our own community.
I have long felt that the solution to this problem, or at least the best way of bringing it under control, is to enlist student athletes in the effort. These are the kids that, more than anyone, are viewed as ''cool.'' If anyone could convince other kids that alcohol, drugs and tobacco are not ''cool,'' it's the student athletes. Unfortunately, however, they are too often at the root of the problem.
I don't know the answer. I expect that part of the solution is hiring coaches and directors who provide better, and stronger, moral guidance. Part of the solution is certainly at home. No responsible parent should ever hold, or allow their children to attend, a keg party.
But the solution also requires a concerted effort by administrators to put a stop to the problem. What an example my own high school administration could have set by suspending our entire varsity basketball team and forfeiting the district tournament.
There are so many things, especially in high school athletics, that are more important than winning. Indeed, I think that winning should rank fairly low. A coach, athletic director or administrator should not think twice about suspending a star athlete, or an entire team, for substance abuse, or about banning such a student from any further participation in athletics until they have admitted their problem and taken proper steps to deal with it.
Alcoholism and drug use can ruin a young person's life. I have personally witnessed one tragedy after another due to such abuse. I know one very promising young person who has spent years in prison due to drug use. I also know, from first-hand experience, that tobacco kills. There is nothing that is more important than teaching our children these lessons. They should not have to learn them the hard way.
I believe that kids generally use alcohol and tobacco, and possibly even drugs, because they think these things are ''cool'' and ''grown up.'' I also suspect that kids who use alcohol frequently abuse it, and engage in binge drinking. These problems are rampant everywhere, including our own community.
I have long felt that the solution to this problem, or at least the best way of bringing it under control, is to enlist student athletes in the effort. These are the kids that, more than anyone, are viewed as ''cool.'' If anyone could convince other kids that alcohol, drugs and tobacco are not ''cool,'' it's the student athletes. Unfortunately, however, they are too often at the root of the problem.
I don't know the answer. I expect that part of the solution is hiring coaches and directors who provide better, and stronger, moral guidance. Part of the solution is certainly at home. No responsible parent should ever hold, or allow their children to attend, a keg party.
But the solution also requires a concerted effort by administrators to put a stop to the problem. What an example my own high school administration could have set by suspending our entire varsity basketball team and forfeiting the district tournament.
There are so many things, especially in high school athletics, that are more important than winning. Indeed, I think that winning should rank fairly low. A coach, athletic director or administrator should not think twice about suspending a star athlete, or an entire team, for substance abuse, or about banning such a student from any further participation in athletics until they have admitted their problem and taken proper steps to deal with it.
Alcoholism and drug use can ruin a young person's life. I have personally witnessed one tragedy after another due to such abuse. I know one very promising young person who has spent years in prison due to drug use. I also know, from first-hand experience, that tobacco kills. There is nothing that is more important than teaching our children these lessons. They should not have to learn them the hard way.
