In The NewsAthletes Against Drugs
Originally printed in The Westerly Sun
Friday, April 10, 2009
Author: Emily DupuisHigh schoolers spread the word - " You don't have to say yes," Liz Cuda told middle school students. " You don't have to give in."
WESTERLY - When they signed up to play a high school sport, they pledged not to use drugs or drink alcohol.
Megan Fallon and Liz Cuda said they have remained true to that promise and hope Westerly Middle School students - athletes and non-athletes alike - do too.
"Liz and I are very proud to stand here in front of you today, saying we have never had a drink and we've never done a drug all throughout high school," said Fallon, a senior volleyball player. "We can honestly say those things and we want to help you guys, hopefully, in four or five years be in our shoes."
The 12 members of the Westerly High School group Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse (VAASA) visited the middle school earlier this week to share this message, perform skits and answer questions about the high school.
While their middle school audience was quiet for the most part, these high school students - dressed in light blue t-shirts emblazoned with a navy W and bulldog image - had a lot to say. "You don't have to say yes. You don't have to give in. It's ultimately your own choice," said Cuda, a varsity cheerleader in her junior year. "And if you want to say no, and that's something you believe in, you can say no. You can still be friends with those people ... maybe you can actually convince them [to say no too]."
Consequences can include losing a parent's trust.
"It's absolutely no fun to go through high school and not have a parent who trusts you," Fallon told the students.
And, she added, "Getting kicked off a sports team because you were under the influence or used a certain substance is probably the worst feeling, and I've had it happen to friends before."
Fellow VAASA member Nick Schilke said, as a freshman, he felt the impact when several football players were kicked off the team for the remainder of the season for alcohol use.
"You see how one decision can bring a whole team down," said Schilke, who is also on the track team.
Ajunior, he said their goal is to dispel the stereotype that all athletes partake in drinking and drugs.
VAASAmembers say taking this stand may not be easy, but they strongly believe in the message.
Amanda Labriola, a sophomore swimmer and cross country runner, said of her peers, "It's one of those things they think it isn't the coolest, but they're supportive."
VAASA members added that more students share their feelings, but funding constraints limited the group to a dozen athletes.
The students trained at an Alton Jones retreat with like-minded Portsmouth and East Providence students.
"And I made 20 new Facebook buddies by the end of the day," Fallon said, referring to the online social networking site. Christine Corah, a junior on the soccer, basketball and softball teams, said they were instructed to recommend alternatives to drinking and drugs - like bowling, seeing movies and getting involved with extracurricular activities and clubs.
Andrea Bishop, high school student assistance services counselor and the VAASA advisor, said they plan to hold a game night next at the high school.
Westerly SubstanceAbuse Task Force coordinator Mary Lou Serra said the work of VAASAteens, as well as the efforts of the young people in the Youth Task Force, really can make all the difference. "We think it's great that kids are talking to kids about avoiding drugs and alcohol and are supporting each other," she said.
Serra added that the task force will soon be funding a high school program dubbed Social Norms Marketing to "get out positive messages to kids."