In an aftermath of an academic year during which students committed 57 in-school drug- or alcohol-related violations occurred, Oregon's Lincoln County School District has announced the adoption of a new program that may result in financial penalties the parents of student-athletes who fall afoul of school rules.

A June 30 article by Larry Coonrod of the South Lincoln County News provided a look at the district's contract with the Life Of an Athlete (LOA) program:

Instead of just signing a permission slip for their students to participate in athletics, LOA requires parents to attend a mandatory meeting on the program before signing a contract acknowledging their understanding.

Students who violate the student code of ethics will be required to meet with a substance abuse evaluator at the family's expense, meet with law enforcement officials, and write a letter of apology. ...

Wendy Rudy, the LOA coordinator, said the program has a strong educational component, and is more than just negative consequences for violations.

"It addresses chemical health," she said. "What students don't know is that one night of binge drinking destroys 14 days of training. That's something for them to think about, all that work training can be gone in a night."

The County News article also noted that a recent survey of Oregon youth found that 25 percent admitted to past-month marijuana use, and 45 percent said they had consumed alcohol during the same time period.

Labels: alcohol_abuse, drug use, students, athletics

Posted By: Aspen/CRC