“Athletes are the most at-risk group for social drug use of any kind,” stated the founder of American Athletic Institute, John Underwood.
According to the website, the AAI is a “sport consulting firm that is committed to helping people both in and out of sport”. The AAI also offers education about alcohol and drug abuse, hazing and sportsmanship.
Throughout Underwood’s presentation on Wednesday, September 23rd in the SKHS auditorium, student-athletes and their parents gathered to hear about the dangers and impact of alcohol and drug use on an athlete’s performance.
During the presentation, Underwood talked about the effects of illegal drugs and alcohol to teenagers and how the substances can affect an athletes psychosomatic state.
“The number one cause of accidents, deaths, any young behavior of concern is alcohol. Plain and simple,” explained Underwood. “And yet, we don’t even consider alcohol that bad of a drug. We think it’s okay for kids to go to parties and drink but it’s not.”
Underwood discussed various studies of teens and the effects of drugs he has conducted, such as a ten year study on the effects of alcohol on teenagers.
“If you’ve been drinking the night before a game, the hangover from the night past will reduce your athletic performance by 11.4 percent,” Underwood told the crowd.
Underwood also listed other medical facts that occur after an athlete has been drinking, such as: reduced reaction time, hindered recover, elevated injury occurrence and diminished muscle fiber repair.
Underwood also spoke about the effects of marijuana on the sleep cycle.
Using marijuana or ‘pot’ will reduce one’s R.E.M (rapid eye movement, a.k.a dreaming) cycle of sleep by half. Underwood added, “The more R.E.M time you have, the more likely you will wake up and feel refreshed in the morning.”
Student reaction about the presentation has been mixed thus far.
Junior Justin Gennari stated that [Underwood’s] presentation was well backed up by facts and statistics but probably fell on deaf ears.
Underwood also introduced SKHS student-athletes and their parents to the “Access to Excellence” program.
The policy was not specifically stated, but the program was. The policy is currently in review by the School Committee and in draft form. The strikes that make up the policy also can change throughout the year.
The Access to Excellence policy requires student-athletes to leave a party immediately if illegal drugs or alcohol are present. The athlete will be required to report the incident to the school’s athletic director or coach.
The 2010-2011 SKHS Athletic Handbook, currently in draft form, states: “Any identifiable image, photo, or video which implicates a student athlete to have been in possession of, or in the presence of alcohol and/or illicit drugs or portrays actual use, or crime, shall be confirmation of a violation of the Chemical Health Policy and Access to Excellence initiative (subject to investigation)”.
Simply put, if a student-athlete has been photographed at such event drinking or doing drugs the photo(s) will be used in the investigation.
According to SKHS Athletic Director Mr. Lynch, there are three strikes in this policy.
The first strike requires the student to be suspended for 20 percent of the total
games during the current sports’ season. The student-athlete can, however, attend scrimmages, team meetings and practices. During the suspension, the athlete will meet with the coach, student assistance counselor, and athletic director to review the individual’s commitment to the policy.
In addition, the student-athlete’s athletic captaincy will be forfeited and once the athlete completes the process he or she will be allowed to participate again.
The second strike suspends the student-athlete for 50 percent of the sports season. The student-athlete can attend team meetings, practices and scrimmages after ten days. The athlete must also attend a meeting with the student assistance counselor, coach, athletic director and parent or guardian. The student will forfeit his/her captaincy for future and current sport seasons.
The third and final strike prohibits the student-athlete for one full calendar year from participating in any sport. The student-athlete must then write a letter requesting to be reinstated after serving the one-year suspension. This letter will be reviewed by the assistant principal, athletic director and student assistance counselor.
The old SKHS policy required that the coach was to decide how the athlete was punished if caught drinking or using drugs.
Athletic director Mr. Lynch said, “This Access to Excellence policy will go into effect next year, fall 2010.”
Speaking to NBC 10s sports reporter Frank Carpano on Varsity Life, Lynch spoke about the policy in more formal terms.
“The safety of our athletes and students is of the utmost concern,” Lynch told Carpano. “We found out about a program last year John Underwood got a flier in the mail, went to Narragansett where he was presenting. And struck a chord with us that this is something we need to get into South Kingstown.”
Lynch invited Underwood to come speak at SKHS about the dangers of alcohol on teenagers and the consequences in sports.
“It’s an extension of the classroom. We talk about drugs and alcohol in our health classes,” Lynch added. “So why not keep it going with our coaches? We can influence [our athletes] because we see them every single day.”
