Information from the APPLE Conference at UVA in January

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?