MADD Released Substance Use Guide for Coaches
The new resource provides student-athlete coaches with tools to address underage drinking and promote healthy team cultures.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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Should local coaches take a more active role in preventing student-athlete substance use?
Mothers Against Drunk Driving launched a specialized guide for student-athlete coaches in the United States. The resource focuses on preventing underage drinking and substance use while fostering mental wellness.
Why it matters
Coaches often act as mentors for student-athletes, and this guide provides practical strategies to help them support healthier decision-making. By focusing on team culture, the resource aims to mitigate risks associated with underage substance consumption.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving released a new coaches' guide to assist in preventing substance use among student-athletes. Its effectiveness in changing actual behavior is currently unknown.
The players
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
A national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending drunk driving, supporting victims of this violent crime, and preventing underage drinking.
The details
The guide offers coaches actionable tools to help address the complex pressures student-athletes face, including the risk of underage drinking. It emphasizes the role of team culture in building mental wellness, encouraging coaches to facilitate open discussions that steer students toward healthy lifestyle choices.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: Mothers Against Drunk Driving launched the new coaches' guide.
Health Landscape
This initiative builds upon the foundation established by the MADD Power of Parents program by addressing the influence of athletic mentors. It represents a shift in preventative strategy toward utilizing various community pillars to discourage underage substance use.
Parents and student-athletes can use this guide as a starting point to discuss healthy habits and the risks of substance use with their coaching staff. If you are a coach, reviewing these tools is a practical way to foster a safer environment for your athletes.
The takeaway
The guide emphasizes that consistent, supportive communication from coaches can play a vital role in preventing underage substance use. Coaches and parents should consider reviewing the resource to better identify and address the pressure points student-athletes may encounter.
Further reading
For additional context on preventative strategies, explore the Substance Abuse section.
Live Poll
Should local coaches take a more active role in preventing student-athlete substance use?
