According to a 2011 study sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) high school athletes are more likely than other students to drink alcohol and binge drink (5 or more drinks at one time).

Overdosing on prescription drugs (that are not prescribed for you) is now one of the leading causes of death in Oklahoma.

Research shows steroid users often suffer from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability (sometimes called ‘roid rage’), delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility.

The use of marijuana or spice causes problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor coordination, increased heart rate, and anxiety. These effects are even greater when other drugs are mixed with weed.

Oklahoma Life of An Athlete is a free program offered through the Whitten-Newman Foundation and FATE (Fighting Addiction Through Education). OKLOA includes both dynamic online training about the impact of alcohol and other drugs on athletic performance, as well as live presentations.

OKLOA has been endorsed by The Oklahoma Athletic Trainers  Association, The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Association, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, The Jim Thorpe Association and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.