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The Oregon Youth Soccer Executive Board in January 1997, passed a Drug, Alcohol & Tobacco Policy for the Association. It was felt that although young people participating in athletic activities were less likely to get involved with illicit substances, both state and national statistics were frightening enough to raise awareness in the Association and to develop prevention strategies.

What parents and coaches say and do about alcohol, drugs and tobacco are some of the most important factors when it comes to drug use and athletes. Young athletes are most likely to be influenced by their parents’ feelings about the use of alcohol and other drugs. As athletes get older that influence diminishes being replaced with the influence of the coach, peers, and other influential adults. Parents and coaches, very early on, need to communicate clearly with their athletes. Research shows that young athletes are less likely to experiment with alcohol and other drugs if they know their parents and coaches disapprove. It is essential for coaches to establish clear norms for behavior, to take seriously the importance of role modeling for their athletes and to influence their athletes’ activities and associates.

With this in mind, the Oregon Youth Soccer Association (OYSA) has teamed up with the Oregon Partnership to provide OYSA members a resource for drug prevention. This article is the first of its kind to deal with drug prevention and health issues. There will be coaching clinics and manuals provided which include drug prevention information. To foster drug prevention OYSA has incorporated into their mission statement the policy outlined on page 4 of this manual.

It is also the intention of OYSA to develop curriculum modules for the Coaching Licensing Clinics, to make coaches aware of signs of abuse and resources to seek professional help. Youth coaches see their teams regularly and thus are in the unique position of being significant adults in the lives of their players and thus have an important position as role models. Making both coaches, administrators and parents aware of telltale signs and providing them with the resources to seek professional assistance can only help everyone concerned. These modules are being developed now and should be in place for the fall season of 1997. For further resources and immediate professional help, please call the Oregon Partnership on (503) 244-5211.

• 35% of 4th graders believe that drinking is a ‘BIG PROBLEM’ for their age group
• Tobacco use also tends to begin by the fourth grade^{2 Drug Prevention Curriculum}
• 11% of 11-13 year-old students have used alcohol
• By the age of 13, 30% of boys and 22% of girls have used alcohol^{2 Drug Prevention Curriculum}
• Four out of ten 6th graders say that there is pressure from other students to use alcohol
• 24% of 9-12 year olds in 1996 (as compared with 19 percent in 1993) were offered drugs last year ^{1 CADCA Factsheet Stats}
• 5% of America’s Junior High students (grades 7-9) are daily tobacco users^{3 Drug Prevention Curriculum}
• Between fourth and sixth grade, the number of children experimenting with alcohol, usually beer and wine coolers, increases from 6 to almost 17 percent^{3 Drug Prevention Curriculum}
• Nearly 2 percent of sixth graders have experimented with marijuana already ^{3 Drug Prevention Curriculum}
• One in every 7 High School seniors have tried cocaine ^{8 Drug Prevention Curriculum}
• One in every 18 High School seniors have tried amphetamines, specifically crack cocaine ^{8 Drug Prevention Curriculum}
• By High School graduation, two-thirds of American students are frequent users of illegal drugs, are frequent users of alcohol, and one-fifth (19 percent) are daily tobacco users. Over 50 percent have used marijuana; over 10 percent hallucinogens (such as LSD and PCP); and over 90 percent have used alcoholic beverages. ^{4 Drug Prevention Curriculum}
• The U.S. continues to suffer the highest rates of teenage and young adult substance use in the industrialized world

The Oregon Partnership works with communities throughout Oregon to support local community groups and coalitions that are focusing on kids, families and prevention. These community coalitions can assist you with local resources. A brochure listing phone numbers of these local resources, as well as state and national resources, will be included in an upcoming mailing from Community Ant-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). CADCA has collaborated with United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) to provide these lists of drug prevention resources for each state.

The Oregon Partnership, a non-profit organization provides drug abuse prevention and treatment referral services statewide. Oregon Partnership’s programs include the "1-800" information HelpLine and YouthLine; statewide prevention education and activities for youth and parents which include: Coordination of the statewide annual week-long Red Ribbon Celebration; the annual Say No To Drugs March allowing elementary through high school age students statewide, the opportunity to publicly proclaim their commitment to a drug-free lifestyle. A resource library providing prevention education materials at no cost; a quarterly newsletter; the Building Better Partnership Coalition Project and ongoing activities in advocacy and public policy issues.