Chesterfield Basketball League (CBL) is participating in an exiting new pilot program with Substance Abuse Free Environment, Inc. (SAFE). SAFE is a collaborative community organization of persons in the county, schools and community. The vision of SAFE is to achieve a community free of substance abuse. Staff support for SAFE is provided by the Chesterfield County Department of Youth Planning and Development. Detailed information about SAFE and Chesterfield County Department of Youth Planning and Development may be obtained from their websites: www.chesterfieldsafe.org www.chesterfield.gov/humanservices/youthservices
The focus of the effort between CBL and SAFE is to utilize selected basketball coaches to present a series of short excercises discussing smoking, drinking and illegal drug use. To initiate this pilot program,
CBL will use four teams in each of three age divisions; the Instructional Division (9 years), Minor Division (10-11 years) and Intermediate Division (12-13 years). Five exercises will be presented to the Instructional Division and eight exercises will be presented to the Minor and Intermediate Divisions. The Instructional exercises will be presented by the coach that teaches the 5 instructional clinics and the Minor and Intermediate exercises will be presented by the coaches of the selected teams. All participating coaches will be given training by John Morgan with Chesterfield County Mental Health prior to commencement of the program. These exercises will be held at the close of practice at the assigned school gym locations. They are designed to last approximately 10-15 minutes. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children.
The question has been asked, "Why is CBL involved in this program and why is another substance abuse program being implemented?"
The CBL Board is totally committed to providing the youth of Chesterfield County an environment that is healthy and safe where they may learn life skills of working with others and improve their physical well -being while enjoying the game of basketball. Coaches become role models for youth and are an obvious avenue to convey attitudes and information that will last for a lifetime. Numerous professional athletes attribute many of their life skills to lessons learned from youth coaches. This program is designed as a preventive measure to reinforce other programs such as those provided through the County school system. The program has not been designed to be as detailed as the school program but will focus on maintaining healthy
"athletic" bodies by not subjecting them to alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
It has been used in other areas of the country but has been modified by Youth Services to meet our specific focus.
Click on the link below to see a sample lesson. It will give you an idea of the general format and focus of the exercises.
Our youth are the most valuable assets that we have for the future of
Chesterfield County. We hope you will join us in endorsing this most worthwhile endeavor.
