ATLAS and ATHENA: Helping Kids Make Healthy Choices
ATLAS (Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids) and ATHENA (Athletes Targeting Health Exercise & Nutrition Alternatives) offer a new model for drug prevention and health promotion education. Unlike traditional health class teaching, these programs are gender-specific.
ATLAS provides boys with healthy sports nutrition and strength training alternatives to alcohol, illicit, and performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids.
- ATHENA addresses the connection between young women in sports, eating disorders and the use of body-shaping drugs such as diet pills.
ATLAS and ATHENA are integrated into the usual team activities during the sport season. Here’s how it works:
- A coach and selected student athletes called “Squad Leaders” lead the program. Coaches facilitate the program and activities, while Squad Leaders provide instruction for their teammates (usually a group of 6 students).
- Instructions are completely scripted and easy to follow, with little to no preparation needed.
- There are 10 sessions for ATLAS and 8 for ATHENA, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Sessions include role-plays, student-created campaigns, or public service announcements and instructional, interactive games.
- The programs focus on the here and now, rather than the long-term harmful effects of substance use.
- Athletes learn how to achieve their goals using state-of-the-art sports nutrition and strength training, and they develop skills to avoid unhealthy behaviors.
ATLAS and ATHENA get results:
- ATLAS reduces male adolescent athletes' use of performance-enhancing drugs, sport supplements, alcohol and illicit drugs, and lowers the incidence of driving under the influence.
- ATHENA helps prevent the use of diet pills, diuretics, and athletic-enhancing substances. The program also helped prevent eating disorders and decreased other risky behaviors such as sexual activity and riding with a drinking driver.
- Both programs promote healthy nutrition while improving communication and decision-making skills regarding drug and alcohol use.
- Students believe they are better athletes, become stronger, and are better able to resist drug offers.
For more information about these and other prevention programs at Hanley Center, email us or call our Prevention Department at 561-841-1213.
