A change to Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association regulations aims to encourage high school athletes struggling with substance abuse to undergo treatment.

Under the new rule athletes can come forward and seek help for substance abuse without being penalized for violating the MIAA's drug policy.

"We wanted to change the rule for people who recognize that there's a problem," Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey, who spearheaded the change, told Patch. "We don't want to discourage people from coming forward."

Morrissey said athletes in particular are susceptible to abuse if they've used prescription drugs while recovering from sports injuries.

"The aim is to try and offer assistance to young people to get them diverted," Morrissey said. "Because after awhile it can be a very long road back."

According to a press release the change has already taken effect. On page 61 of the MIAA rulebook it now reads:

Prior to any chemical health violation a student's request for and enrollment in a substance abuse treatment shall not in and of itself constitute a violation of the chemical health/alcohol/drugs/tobacco Rule 62.

Morrissey first petitioned the MIAA to amend its regulations in 2014, and last December he helped provide Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment training to 80 school nurses, athletic trainers and athletic directors from across Norfolk County.

He said sports is instrumental in keeping some teenagers grounded and it would be a mistake to take that outlet from them in recovery.

"We want to keep people in school and sometimes that comes through the camaraderie of a sports team," Morrissey said. "Why would anyone come forward if they thought they couldn't keep playing sports? They wouldn't."