By Nate Roman, USCM Intern
April 1, 2002

A new program aimed at curbing the use of illegal drugs among high school student'athletes in Salt Lake City schools is proving to be effective.

Preliminary results from a new program named ATLAS, or Athletes Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids, shows that use of illegal substances, such as marijuana, alcohol, and anabolic steroids seen a decline among male student'athletes.

"This is great news coming on the heels of the Olympics. Not only are our kids interested in becoming better athletes, but they want to do it the right way," explained Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.

Over 500 students were involved in the new drug prevention classes, which also stresses the importance of proper nutrition. A survey of 80 student'athletes who attended at least 5 of the 10 sessions found that nearly three'fourths of the participating students are less likely to use illegal drugs and also had a decreased desire to take strength enhancing anabolic steroids than before entering the ATLAS program.

"These results show what can happen when you implement programs with a proven track record of success. ATLAS is making a difference, giving our young people brighter futures and, perhaps, saving lives," said Mayor Anderson.

"Our young people and our taxpayers deserve drug prevention programs that really work," said Anderson, "these results show what can happen when you implement programs with a proven track record of success."

The ATLAS program uses coaches and student'leaders to teach young student'athletes the dangers and risks involved with the use of such drugs as marijuana, alcohol, and anabolic steroids. The program also educates young athletes to use proper nutrition and teaches effective strength training methods as alternatives to steroid use.

Salt Lake City School District Superintendent Darline Robles spoke of her excitement about the preliminary results of the program and said, "we are grateful for the Mayor's support. These results show what can happen when you implement programs with a proven track record of success." Robles credited such programs as ATLAS and Prevention Dimensions, a drug prevention program which targets younger children in Salt Lake City, for educating youth of "the hard truth about all types of drugs and how they can ruin their lives."

For more information on this program you may visit the Oregon Health and Science University website at www.ohsu.edu/som-hpsm/atlasprgm.html