AAI Announces its 1st Ever Life of an Athlete Winter Session
------------------------------------------------- NMAA Launches New Website
The New Mexico Activities Association, with the support of the New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Bureau and the assistance of the American Athletic Institute, will launch an interactive on-line, student-athlete alcohol education program. The program, which will officially launch at the end of July, will be focused specifically on the negative effects of alcohol consumption upon an athlete’s athletic performance and life. ______________________ AAI's High School and Collegiate Summer Session a Success!
Both sessions were a great success with the High School Session reaching maximum capacity three years in a row. Among those who attended the Collegiate Session were University of Alabama, Illinois State University, University of Michigan, Kalamazoo College, Williams & Mary and Colgate. Below is some of the feed back from both sessions: - I really enjoyed the conference and felt that it was very informative. It was great to get to see how other schools are implementing the program. The accommodations and town of Lake Placid couldn't have been better.
- The information on alcohol and drugs affects on athletic performance was fascinating and not something I’d heard from any other source. As a non-coach, I appreciated the information on team dynamics and the composition of the types of athletes in a team, and how to teach leadership in a sports team setting. The outing to the ski jumps was fascinating. And watching kids half my age doing aerials – their dedication and talent is amazing.
- I found many aspects of the conference to be helpful and relevant in my role as a psychologist working closely with athletes/coaches on campus. The information about performance issues was the most intriguing. _________________________________ AAI Completes Life of an Athlete Five Year Mandate in NY State The American Athletic Institute announced that the NY State Public High School Athletic Association’s mandated chemical health prevention/intervention program has been concluded. AAI Director John Underwood visited and trained all school districts in Long Island on January 25-27, to complete year #5 of the curriculum. This basically finishes the program, yet the impact continues. Seven hundred plus school districts were trained yearly for the past five years in NY, thanks to the leadership of NYSPHSAA and their leader Nina Van Erk. This was perhaps the largest targeted population programs in prevention history. AAI is proud to have had the opportunity to work with an organization that not only realized the magnitude of the problem of substance use by middle school and high school student athletes, but were willing to confront it and make a commitment to educate athletes, parents, coaches, school administrators and community members. In visiting other states across the country, we see the same issues facing young people and await the leaders of those states to implement the Life of an Athlete© program. It is without any doubt, that alcohol and marijuana use by youth, is the single largest implicating factor in youth behaviors of concern. Time to face this societal problem and help the next generation of athletes not simply play better but live better. _________________________________ AAI Starts To Help Canada Face Substance Abuse and Use With Their Athletes
Social drug use among athletes is prevalent and the problem is complex. Athletes may be more likely to abuse alcohol than their non-athlete counterparts and are more likely to suffer behavioral and
_________________________________ AAI's Upcoming Speaking Engagements
August 2010: 26th-31st: UP, Michigan
September 2010: 2nd: Berlin High School, NY 9th: Teen Youth Summit, Liberty Missouri 14th-16th: Oregon State Prevention Conference 20th: Glen Lake Schools, Michigan 22nd: Adrian College, Michigan _________________________________ To Read The Latest Issue Of "Prevention News" click here! Inside This Issue You Will Find: -Minimum Legal Drinking Age: 21 Is Better Than 18 _________________________________ Check Out AAI's Brochure
_________________________________ See why organizations of all kinds are using to improve production. _________________________________
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AAI "Life of an Athlete" Pacific Northwest 2010 Fall Session
Learn how to implement the “Life of an Athlete” program Click here for the save the date info _______________________ Kids Get Picture: Sports and Booze Don't Mix! The message was clear: Don't drink alcohol or use drugs, especially if you're an athlete. On Tuesday morning, about 250 kids sat inside the Alto Street Boys and Girls Club gym listening to the anti-drug message of John Underwood, a former NCAA All-American, international-level distance runner, a World Masters champion and the current president and founder of the American Athletic Institute, a sports-consulting firm based in New York. The even was held to introduce Life of an Athlete, a statewide alcohol- and drug prevention program that officially launches today in Albuquerque. It focuses on middle school and high school athletes, who represent a significant population in any school, said Robert Zayas, associate director of the New Mexico Activities Association. READ MORE _______________________ Website Warns High School Athletes Dangers of Alcohol By Jim Halley, USA TODAY Gabe Gurule was a three-sport athlete at Manzano (Albuquerque), getting recruiting letters for football from Big 12 schools. Matt James of St. Xavier (Cincinnati) was a first-team All-USA offensive lineman, two months shy of graduation and looking forward to playing for Notre Dame. Gurule is in the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Los Lunas because of his alcohol use, serving an eight-year, four-month sentence for vehicular homicide. James' life ended this April when he fell from a fifth-floor balcony while on spring break in Panama City, Fla. Beginning Wednesday, the New Mexico Activities Association is launching a website (lifeofanathlete.com) that includes Gurule's story in an interactive program that plans to educate high school athletes about the dangers of alcohol abuse. It is open to students and officials from other states. READ MORE __________________________________ Teen Binge Drinking Now, Thin Bones Later CHICAGO, July 17 (UPI) -- Teen binge drinking may disrupt genes involved in forming bone, increasing teens' risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life, U.S. researchers say. Loyola University Health System researchers conducted rat studies examining the effects of binge drinking on bone metabolism and maintenance genes. Rats received injections of alcohol that resulted in blood alcohol levels equivalent to those of binge amounts of alcohol and compared to control rats that received saline. The researchers found about 300 bone-related genes were disrupted in rats exposed to acute binge drinking and 180 bone-related genes were disrupted in rats exposed to chronic binge drinking. READ MORE __________________________________ Underage drinking visits to ER jump on 4th of July weekend
A study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says daily underage drinking-related visits to the ER are 87 percent higher during the 4th of July weekend than on an average day in July. The report estimates that an ER sees 502 hospital emergency department visits involving underage alcohol use. But over the 4th of July weekend, the number or daily hospital visits climbs to 938. on an average day in July. From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration press release: “Underage drinking is not a harmless right of passage. It has far-reaching consequences. In addition to emergency department visits, injuries, arrests and embarrassment, 5,000 deaths in people under age 21 are linked to alcohol each year,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Parents are a leading influence in their children’s decision to avoid alcohol. To help parents make the tough job of raising children a little easier, SAMHSA provides an online action plan to help parents talk with their children about expectations regarding alcohol use.” Click Here For Full Report _______________________ AAI's Power Back Diet Now Available
_______________________ New K2 drug becoming concern in athletics The Associated Press • May 2, 2010 The company that does drug testing for the NFL, NCAA and more than 100 U.S. schools is coming up with a way to detect a troubling new synthetic substance that mimics the effects of marijuana and is so far legal in 49 states. The lab-made drug known as K2, King Krypto and Spice, among other names, is well known in Europe and authorities say it's been banned in countries including Germany, Russia, Sweden and England. It began showing up in the United States only about six months ago, federal authorities say, and Kansas outlawed it in March. A ban at the federal level could take months, if not years. The NCAA declined to comment on the drug, but the agency it pays to conduct drug testing is already working on a test to detect K2 use after hearing from a number of schools concerned about it. By this fall, the National Center for Drug Free Sport Inc. hopes to have a test ready to go for college athletes, many of whom may be especially tempted by the drug. Read More _______________________ SAHMSA Consults With AAI
SAHMSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services) consulted with AAI to seek input on strategies to impact adults/parents in campaign to address and impact underage drinking. AAI's target population of athletes offers any community or school district the venue to mandate the majority of parents to attend seasonal meetings which share the negative effects of alcohol use as well as brain development studies and brain scan science to illustrate the impact of use on mental and physical performance. "AAI is proud to offer our perspectives on this topic after a decade in the trenches, fighting to impact our youth and athletes at all levels of sport" said AAI leader John Underwood. AAI continues to be involved with many national and governmental agencies including the World Health Organization, the Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation, the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, the United States Military, and nearly all national, professional and international sport agencies. ______________________ Crusader For Drug-Free Sports
A new national study shows a significant increase in drug and alcohol abuse by teens, a reversal of what had been a decade-long decline. Released last week by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the MetLife Foundation, the Partnership Attitude Tracking Study reveals that more teens in grades nine-12 are using alcohol, ecstasy and marijuana. PATS data also recognized a shift in teen attitudes, notably a growing belief in the benefits and acceptability of drug use and drinking. “Whenever there’s economic demise or social trauma, drug use in adults goes up and unfortunately it filters down to our kids,” said John Underwood, founder and president of the New York-based American Athletic Institute, who will speak tomorrow evening at a town hall meeting sponsored by the Tri-Community Coalition.
A former NCAA All-American, International-level distance runner and World Masters Champion, Underwood has coached and advised Olympic athletes and is an expert in the field of athletics and social drug use. READ MORE |
Oregon St. Player Dismissed After Arrest Associated Press CORVALLIS, Ore. -- An Oregon State University offensive lineman has been dismissed from the team after police say they found him naked and intoxicated in a stranger's home and had to use stun guns to take him into custody. Corvallis police say they received the call about a naked intruder early Sunday. Responding officers ordered 19-year-old Tyler Patrick Thomas of Kalispell, Mont., to get on the ground, Lt. Tim Brewer said. Thomas refused and instead dropped into a three-point stance like a football player and lunged at the officers, Brewer said. At that point, he said, two officers fired their stun guns. Brewer said Thomas "absolutely was intoxicated" at the time. Thomas was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass, criminal mischief and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Benton County jail and later released. Oregon State coach Mike Riley dismissed Thomas from the team Monday, OSU athletics spokesman Steve Fenk said. Thomas redshirted during the Beavers' 2009 season. ____________________________ 19 Oregon football players treated for rare muscle injury Associated Press Updated Aug. 22, 2010 8:40 PM ET School officials, parents and players remained puzzled Sunday over what caused 19 members of a high school football team in northwest Oregon to suffer muscle damage, which required three of them to undergo surgery, following a fall camp. The 19 McMinnville High School players all had elevated levels of the enzyme creatine kinase, or CK, which is released by muscles when they're injured, said Dr. Craig Winkler of Willamette Valley Medical Center. High CK levels can lead to kidney failure if not properly treated. Winkler called the epidemic "weird," saying: "To have this number of athletes in one single community in one environment is very unusual." Three of the players also were diagnosed with a rare soft-tissue condition called “compartment syndrome,” which caused soreness and swelling in their triceps. They underwent surgery to relieve the pressure, Winkler said. READ MORE ____________________________ Shaun Rogers Becomes Local Hero With all of the celebrity drama over the past few weeks (paging Mel Gibson and Lindsay Lohan), it’s refreshing to read stories like this one involving Shaun Rogers. The Cleveland Browns lineman went “above and beyond what the normal, responsible individual would do” when he came across a drunk driver on the highway in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. Shaun immediately called 911 where he explained the situation to the dispatcher. Further, he followed behind the swerving car, preventing other cars from coming in contact. Finally, when the drunk driver pulled over, Rogers pulled his car up behind and put on the emergency lights to warn other drivers that the cars were on the side. He then waited for police to show up. The driver was charged with DUI and his passenger was charged with underage drinking. According to police, both individuals blew significantly over the legal alcohol limit. Shaun Rogers received a letter from the Middleburg Heights chief of police that (among other things) praised him for taking action. “There is no doubt in my mind that your actions, in all probability, averted a tragedy,” says Chief of Police John Maddow in the letter. ____________________________ The Son of Former Notre Dame Standout Joe Montana Was Arrested for Underage Drinking The son of former Notre Dame standout Joe Montana was among 11 Fighting Irish athletes arrested on misdemeanor charges of underage drinking at a party Friday night. A total of 44 people were arrested after city police responded to a call about a fight near a roadway and discovered the party, said St. Joseph County Police assistant chief Bill Redman. Two non-athletes face a misdemeanor charge of providing alcohol to minors. The arrests were handled by state excise police, who didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment on Saturday. READ MORE ____________________________ Arrested Tailback Will Transfer From UGA ATHENS — Georgia backup tailback Dontavius Jackson, arrested on DUI and other charges last weekend, has decided to transfer to another school, UGA said Wednesday night. The latest development came three days after Jackson, a redshirt sophomore, was suspended for at least the first six games of the 2010 season by Georgia coach Mark Richt. Jackson will leave UGA after summer semester. He played in four games last season, rushing for 38 yards on four carries. He was well behind Washaun Ealey, Caleb King and Carlton Thomas on the Bulldogs’ depth chart at tailback. Jackson was arrested by UGA Police early Saturday and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, underage possession of alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident, following too closely, violation of the move-over law and violation of learner’s permit. He is the fourth player to leave the Georgia football program after arrests this year. Richt dismissed linebacker Montez Robinson, quarterback Zach Mettenberger and backup punter Trent Dittmer from the squad. ___________________________ Radical and Dangerous: Possible Changes to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol The alcohol section of the new Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report (PDF) could represent a radical departure from the 2005 Dietary Guidelines1 if its conclusions are reflected in the final Dietary Guideline for alcohol scheduled to come out later this year. The proposed increase in daily drinking guidelines that would be defined as "moderate" drinking, the lack of randomized studies on the health effects of alcohol consumption, and potentially dangerous public health messages are some of the reasons these proposed changes are concerning -- and worth your time to submit comments by July 15. The current Dietary Guidelines for alcohol provides drinking guidelines outlining the safest way to consume alcohol for the full range of the U.S. population that already drinks alcohol: up to 2 drinks per day for men and up to 1 drink per day for women (2/1 daily consumption guidelines). However, the new Advisory Committee report proposes that 2/1 consumption guidelines be based on average, rather than daily, consumption. Furthermore, the report would explicitly define "moderate" drinking as drinking up to 4 drinks per day for men and 3 drinks for women (4/3 daily consumption guidelines), so long as the average limits are not exceeded. READ MORE ____________________________ Georgia Suspends Two After Arrests Georgia coach Mark Richt has suspended two players the day after their arrests on alcohol-related charges. Sophomore tailback Dontavius Jackson was charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident and other motor vehicle offenses early Saturday morning. Richt says Jackson, a backup, has been suspended for a minimum of six games. Sophomore split end Tavarres King, a returning starter, was charged with underaged possession of alcohol and has been suspended for at least one game by Richt. Richt says he is disappointed in the players' decision-making and that each will "pay a stiff price." Each player has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities. ____________________________ UGA Athletic Director Ousted! Evans resigns after DUI charge ATHENS, Ga. — Damon Evans offered another apology on the day his resignation as Georgia’s athletic director was announced by the school’s president. The announcement by Michael Adams came after a conference call with the executive committee of the athletic association’s board of directors Monday. Adams said Evans resigned Sunday, less than a week after Evans was arrested on a DUI charge. Evans released a statement Monday in which he offered “my sincerest apology” to Adams, Georgia officials, coaches, fans and student-athletes. Evans was 34 when he was chosen athletic director in 2004. READ MORE ____________________________ Teen Drunk Driving Statistics Demand Attention Statistics tell a consistent story June 24, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ — Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, despite overall traffic fatalities plummeting to their lowest levels since the birth of the Interstate Highway System. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the death rate reached the lowest level ever recorded in 2009.
Despite the dramatic decrease, nine teens died every day last year from motor vehicle accidents, and 350,000 were treated in emergency rooms. Though there are only 13 million teen drivers, they accounted for nearly $25 billion in motor vehicle injury costs last year alone. One in three teen drivers killed had been drinking alcohol prior to their motor vehicle accident; 40 percent of all fatal alcohol-related traffic accidents involved teens who were driving under the influence. READ MORE |
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