Drug use patterns among high school athletes and nonathletes - Statistical Data Included

Adolescence, Winter, 2001 by Adam H. Naylor, Doug Gardner, Len Zaichkowsky

Nevertheless, the present study suggests that participation in athletics is related to a healthier lifestyle. It also reveals that marijuana and alcohol are the two primary substances where more education and intervention are necessary. Furthermore, this study suggests that coaches and administrators must assess the efficacy of their drug prevention programs and their efforts to enforce rules and regulations.

Athletic activities provide many opportunities to promote healthful behaviors. Therefore, sport organizations ought to assess the needs of their athletes and provide effective interventions in a timely manner.

Table 1

Drug Use Patterns Among High School Athletes and Nonathletes

                    Athletes  Nonathletes  Total
                      (%)         (%)       (%)

Alcohol               68.8       68.4      68.7
Cigarettes (**)       36.1       44.0      38.4
Smokeless Tobacco      8.0        7.7       7.9
Marijuana             37.5       42.9      39.1
Cocaine (**)           3.1        7.2       4.3
Psychedelics (***)     9.8       18.1      12.3
Creatine (**)         10.4        4.4       8.6
Androstenedione        2.3        2.1       2.2
Anabolic Steroids      2.5        3.4       2.8
Pain Medication       29.3       31.9      30.1
Barbiturates           3.7        6.1       4.4
Amphetamines           6.8        9.6       7.6

(*) Significant difference between athletes and nonathletes at the .05
level.

(**) Significant difference between athletes and nonathletes at the .01
level.

(***) Significant difference between athletes and nonathletes at the
.001 level.
Table 2

Interscholastic Athletes' Perceptions of Drug Intervention Effectivenss

Topic                                                   Yes  No

Do you know the Chemical Health Eligibility Rule?       68%  32%
Have you violated this rule during the season?          38%  62%
Have you received a penalty if you violated this rule?  12%  88%
Have you been caught and not been penalized?            13%  87%
Have any of your teammates violated this rule?          71%  29%
Does your coach discuss the issue of drugs?             57%  43%
Would you submit to voluntary random drug testing?      48%  52%
Are you interested in drug prevention programs from     31%  69%
  the athletic department?

REFERENCES

Adams, C. L. (1992). Substance use of Massachusetts high school student athletes. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Boston University.

Anderson, W. A., Albrecht, R. R., McKeag, D. B., Hough, D. 0., & McGrew, C. A. (1991). A national survey of alcohol and drug use by college athletes. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 19, 91-104.

Anderson, W. A., & McKeag, D. B. (1985). The substance use and abuse habits of college student athletes (Report No. 2). Mission, KS: The National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Andrews, J. A., & Duncan, S. C. (1998). The effect of attitude on the development of adolescent cigarette use. Journal of Substance Abuse, 10, 1-7.

Anshel, M. H. (1998). Drug abuse in sports: Causes and cures. In J. M. Williams (Ed.), Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance (pp. 372-387). Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company.