Long-term efforts to prevent the use of substances among student athletes are extremely important, and produce significantly better results than "one-shot" approaches (Bernard, 1988).

Harding and Ringhofer (1986) reported that when student athletes work in an atmosphere free of drug-abuse they reduce the related risks associated with declining athletic and academic performance, problems with the law, addiction and dependency, accidents, and problems with interpersonal relationships.

A healthy environment that does not focus on drugs to help performance enables student athletes enhance their life skills for solving problems, managing stress, and goal setting. As a result, student athletes develop healthy relationships that contribute to building team morale.