In the past, responsibility for preventing tobacco, alcohol or other drug use problems has shifted from one faction of the community to another. When tobacco, alcohol or other drug use problems were seen as moral issues, the responsibility for preventing problems was given to churches and other religious organizations. When use was seen as a legal issue, law enforcement personnel were charged with the responsibility for creating and enforcing laws prohibiting use. When use was viewed as a problem of ignorance, schools were asked to take on the responsibility for educating about tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. When addiction was seen as the major problem with tobacco, alcohol or other drug use, treatment programs were asked to "fix" young people who were dependent. And when drug use problems were seen as a societal failing, social service agencies were asked to fix the ills that created problems in the first place.

Current prevention philosophy views prevention as everybody's business and understands that there are a wide variety of problems related to tobacco, alcohol or other drug use. These problems include, but are not limited to, dependency. Communities are encouraged to define their standards about tobacco, alcohol or other drug use, and to seek multiple opportunities for promoting those standards.

Schools have long been a major prevention player, simply because of their access to young people and parents. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to school activities as an important vehicle for prevention efforts. School activity staff members are being asked to take on the role of prevention specialists for seven major reasons.

Access to participants

Across the country, almost 50 percent of our nation's high school students participate in school athletic programs. When you add the number of young people who participate in other school activities, it becomes obvious that this is an opportunity to send prevention messages that simply can't be missed.

Risk Factors

Young people who participate in school activities are not immune to problems with tobacco, alcohol or other drug use. In fact, some research has shown that high school athletes may use alcohol at slightly higher rates than the general student population. Athletes may be at risk for higher use of other substances, too, such as steroids.

Relationship with school activity staff members

As athletic directors, activity directors, coaches or sponsors, you have a unique and powerful relationship with young people. You are often seen as role models and mentors. What you say and do can influence the behavior of your coaches and activity sponsors.

Unique learning situations

Opportunities to give information about tobacco, alcohol or other drugs continually arise during the time students are involved in activities. These teachable moments happen when a sports figure or performer is arrested for an alcohol-or drug-related offense, when advertisers link alcohol or tobacco to participation in sports or other events, when a rule is violated, when a game or event is won or lost, and when students make personal decisions -- good or bad - about tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. Because of their relationship with young people, leaders can use these times to explain how they feel about student use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

Public attention

The American public pays attention to sports and school activities. In most communities, athletics will consistently draw the largest audiences. This public attention is a major reason for using athletics as a vehicle for prevention. Just as advertisers use athletics for selling tobacco, alcohol or other products, concerned community members can use these events to promote their standards, too.

In many communities, other activities such as band, choir, drama and speech  will also draw large audiences. Public attention for these students is another significant reason for offering prevention programs through all school activities, not just athletics.

Role Modeling

Because of the attention given them by fans, young athletes, performers and their adult leaders are role models for the community. The choices they make about tobacco, alcohol or other drug use can and do influence others.

Parental involvement