As someone involved with sports and psychology, I value the positive effects good sportsmanship can have on both an athlete's mindset, as well as the integrity of a sporting event. I devote much of my time and energy to educating youth about the importance of good sportsmanship and drug-free sport. Through The Foundation for Global Sports Development, I am able to reach children and teens with our Culture, Education, Sports and Ethics Program (CESEP).

Over the past couple of decades, more high school students are reporting abusing steroids at some point in their lives. To me, this indicates a need for more education about the harmful physical, social and psychological effects caused by the abuse of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. CESEP is an international educational initiative designed to engage teachers and students from different cultures and countries in the dialogue of healthy sport. It focuses on the idea of fair play as well as the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Beyond athletic competitions, the benefits of youth learning about drug-free sport and good sportsmanship can affect other areas of their lives. Youth comprehending and expressing these values greatly enhances their ability to integrate these ethics into school work, extracurricular activities, relationships and later on, their professional life.

Tackling the dilemma of ethics and morals is a delicate issue when working with children and youth, as in Kohlberg's Moral Stages of Development. As youth move up to the conventional stages, which are based on conformity and social order, a progression occurs as the youth is able to harmonize conflicting value claims, both psychologically and socially. It is during this time, when youth are paying more attention to what "everyone else is doing," that opening a dialogue on ethics and drug use and allowing questions or opinions to be voiced can be effective. The positive role model influence by teachers, coaches, and mentors creates an atmosphere of affirmative attitudes on the field and in the classroom. This combination of discussion and positive role models emphasizes to youth the acceptance of healthy sport. Providing a system of support as youth create their ethical foundations could have a resounding effect on their decisions regarding drug use and competition.

With CESEP, we also aim to show the steps for youth can take to lead drug-free and productive lives with healthy relationships. According to a survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 27.9% percent of youth surveyed between the ages of 12 and 20 had an alcoholic beverage within the last month. One aspiration of the program is to maintain the dialogues between youth and adults - and that teachers, counselors and mentors will continue checking in with students about their views and values to persist as positive role models.

With this program, we are striving for a greater impact in the everyday lives and decisions worldwide as youth participate. Supportive relationships with adults, positive expectations of behavior, and skills to make the right choices are all key components for youth to successfully move to adulthood, as found in this study. The curriculum is certainly a way for youth and adults to interact with one another and examine these issues. For more information on the Culture, Education, Sports and Ethics Program, please visit the program's website at: http://www.cultureandsport.com/.