Coaches are teacher and can have a profound effect on the kids they coach. You have a special opportunity to mold their lives. Pledge to be alcohol, tobacco and drug free in the presence of your players. The links below provide nine weeks of topics to discuss with your players. Click on the related web site. These are excellent sites for you and your players to check out. New links added to this page 12/29/05.

Week 1: Why do kids use alcohol, tobacco or drugs?
Talk to your kids about drugs.
How to talk to kids about drugs.
Information on drugs by name, slang, image and paraphernalia
Coaches "do's and don'ts" against drugs
Facts Sheets to help you educate - in English and Spanish

Week 2: Smart athletes don't smoke?
TIPS 4 Youth-Facts About Smoking For Coaches (529 KB) PDF file
What should you know about tobacco?
What harmful chemicals are in cigarettes?
What does it cost to smoke cigarettes? How much over a lifetime?
Tips for coaches (PDF file 530 KB) anti-smoking fun soccer activities
Smokeless Tobacco - even without smoke there is danger.
Coach Dan's Chalk Talk About Tobacco
Nicotine Addiction Test
Cause of Deaths - Why You Don't Want to Smoke
If you spit you sit. (PDF file - takes a while to download)

Week 3: Alcohol and athletes don't mix.
When someone uses alcohol, it can make them … (word search puzzle)
What's Up with Alcohol? (Flash Quiz)
Young Teens Place for Info on Alcohol (Quiz)
Is your teen drinking?
Sobering facts about alcohol poisoning
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Alcohol
Hangovers last forever (PDF file - takes a while to download)

Week 4: Marijuana - a big mistake.
Answer teens questions about marijuana.
Can marijuana impair short-term memory?
How likely is a teen to smoke marijuana?
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Marijuana
What's Up With Marijuana?

Week 5: Steroids - a quick way to ruin you athletic career.
Steroids: Play Safe, Play Fair
What Steroids Can Do To You!
Common Sports Nutrition Myths
More Information on Steroids
Steroids: Just the Facts

Week 6: Cocaine and crack - deadly choices!
What's up with cocaine and crack?
Short and long-term effects of Cocaine

Week 7: Inhalants & stimulants - don't even think about it!
The first time can kill.
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Inhalants
Inhalants are Nothing to Sniff At
What's Up With Methamphetamine?
Story of 14 year old dying from huffing "Dust Off" is no urban legend.

Week 8: Help is out there - it's never too late!
Substance Abuse Treatment Locations

Week 9: Don't join the club!
Dangerous by themselves, even more dangerous with alcohol
Club Drugs Aren't "Fun Drugs"

To suggest other sites or report broken links, please