I recently attended a very informative conference at the University of Virginia. The topic was regarding how to review what your university is doing to increase education efforts for the betterment of prevention in areas of alcohol, tabacco and other drug usage. I have included a overview of the model from the conference website. http://apple.studenthealth.virginia.edu/
I encourage to review this infromation. We at Loyola are looking at policy as the slice we would like to improve first.
Which area would you like to see improved at your university?
There are
seven distinct areas where athletics departments can address substance use.
Discover how your athletics department can enhance alcohol, tobacco, and other
drug abuse prevention efforts by examining the “slices” of the APPLE and assessing
your department's strengths and weaknesses in substance abuse prevention.
Drug Testing
Student-athletes,
cheerleaders, student managers and student athletic trainers are required to be
educated about NCAA banned drugs and the products that may contain them.
Students affiliated with the athletics department agree not to use banned drugs
and to submit to institutional testing as outlined in campus policy.
Student-athletes agree to NCAA drug testing during championship events and to
NCAA year-round testing as approved by their division. The athletics
department complies with NCAA drug testing administrative duties and assures
that compliance forms are explained and signed. Effective testing for drug use
relies on the existence and implementation of standards to ensure informed
consent, confidentiality, integrity of the sample, reliable laboratory
procedures, integrity of the report and specified sanctions associated with
positive tests. Policies should be uniform for all sports and the athletics
department abides by its written policies.
Educational Programming
All
new student-athletes, cheerleaders, student managers and student athletic
trainers participate in a mandatory ATOD education program. Materials and
programs are regularly available through identified resources and specifically
tailored to the needs of student-athletes, cheerleaders, student managers, and
student athletic trainers. The athletics department participates in a
peer education program designed or adapted for the needs of student-athletes.
Peer educators receive training and supervision from appropriate ATOD
professionals in ATOD information and best educational practices.
Coaching and sports medicine staffs are well informed about ATOD abuse
prevention, especially as it relates to the athletics culture. Education
programs are evaluated regularly.
Expectations & Attitudes
ATOD
messages that coaches, staff, student-athletes and others give during
orientation, during the year and by their own actions are consistent for all
student-athletes, cheerleaders, student managers and student athletic trainers.
Coaching, sports medicine and other athletics staff adhere to the same
standards expected of student-athletes, cheerleaders, student managers and
student athletic trainers.
Policy
The
athletics department has ATOD policies that incorporate standards set in
current federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act legislation and NCAA
regulations. The policies clearly define ATOD testing standards,
procedures, and sanctions. They are well disseminated to all athletics
personnel, uniformly enforced, and regularly reviewed.
Recruitment
The
athletics department neither promotes nor condones illegal alcohol, tobacco and
other drug (ATOD) activities. All ATOD messages - verbal and written,
formal and informal - and all contacts with prospective student-athletes are
consistent with school and departmental policies. The athletics
department recognizes that the behavior of the recruit will be a responsibility
of the student host and that the athletics department bears the legal
responsibility for the recruit’s ATOD use. The athletics department
should have a uniform, written policy to guide all members of the department
and recruits through the recruiting process.
Referral
Departmental
policies specify the criteria for referral to treatment for ATOD concerns and
the procedural issues associated with referral including timeliness,
confidentiality and expected follow-up. Counseling resources include a
range of modalities. Services are accessible and scheduling is compatible
with class, practice, athletics training and game and travel schedules, so that
students can be seen in a timely fashion. Collegial relationship development
between athletics and counseling staff contributes to a process that is
sensitive to the unique athletics culture and required protocols of counseling
and confidentiality.
Sanctioning
Disciplinary
actions related to infractions of ATOD polices are appropriate to the number
and type of infractions, clearly specified, and well-disseminated. They
are also uniformly enforced across all teams, cheerleaders, student managers
and student athletic trainers.
After review - please consider these questions -
Which
slices of the APPLE should we consider our focus for the next year?
What
is the one slice is in the most need of review?
What
are some slices where a simple change might make a big difference?
