One Way 2 Play

Steroid use by professional athletes continues to be a major topic of discussion both locally and nationally. High-profile athletes use performance-enhancing drugs to compete at a higher level and do so knowing the detrimental affect those drugs can have on their bodies. Often using the excuse of the pressures of superstardom, when caught with their hand in the "cookie jar," they admit it was stupid and promise not to shoot up any more. But one has to wonder what affect it is having on our youth. In a recent survey of 125,000 coaches, over 90 percent of the respondents said the number one challenge they faced in dealing with their athletes is the problem of drug and alcohol use. And the problem is not just limited to athletes. It is a problem in every part of our society. We hear of so many "heroes" lost that it seems to drown out the good news of those young student-athletes who decide to take a stand for what is right and honorable. Recently, Greater Dallas FCA asked hundreds of coaches in the greater Dallas area to make drug use a topic of discussion in small groups. In these weekly "huddle group" meetings, students were offered a chance to participate in a national program FCA calls One Way 2 Play - Drug Free! One Way 2 Play, is a systematic program developed to confront the problem of drug use among students by instilling values, encouraging goal-setting and establishing accountability through positive peer pressure. It challenges student-athletes to sign a commitment card saying they will be alcohol and drug free. Since October there have been 1,000 student-athletes in the Greater Dallas area who have made this commitment, which is sure to have a positive impact on their own lives as well as the sports they represent. OW2P contains three critical elements that make this program one of the most effective in America. When we are talking about One Way 2 Play, FCA stands for Faith, Commitment and Accountability. 1. Faith that students can receive wisdom to make and carry out good decisions. 2. Commitment to say "no" to alcohol and drugs, as well as helping others to keep their commitments and sign the commitment pledge. (Students have a 60% greater chance of following through on commitments that they sign.) 3. Accountability to friends, group leaders and families in keeping the pledge. If you are a student, parent or coach and want to know more about the FCA OneWay 2 Play Drug Free! program or Greater Dallas FCA, please visit www.fcadallas.org for more information or email rbowles@fca.org.