-Brad Hyre, Assistant Principal, Collinsville High School, Illinois
About Us
ATLAS and ATHENA are health promotion and substance abuse prevention programs for high school athletic teams. ATLAS reduces male adolescent athletes' use of anabolic steroids, sport supplements, alcohol and illicit drugs. ATHENA prevents substance abuse, disordered eating, diet pill use and other body shaping drug intake by young women athletes. Both programs promote healthy nutrition while increasing communication and decision-making skills.
ATLAS and ATHENA were tested in rigorous research trials with over $7.5 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health. Program evaluations took place in 49 schools and 12 cities with more than 4,000 student athlete participants.
How ATLAS and ATHENA Work
Unlike traditional health classroom teaching, ATLAS and ATHENA are gender-specific and use a sport team setting. During the sport season, ATLAS and ATHENA are incorporated into the usual team activities. Student athletes are divided into learning groups of five. One student per group is trained as the "Squad Leader". The coach introduces activities, keeps students on task and facilitates the programs with help from the Squad Leaders.
The programs are easy to implement and the instructions are completely scripted. Each 45-minute session (10 sessions for ATLAS and 8 sessions for ATHENA) is interactive and includes educational games and role-play activities. 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 develop skills to avoid unhealthy behaviors.
