Don’t kid youself, kid — stop drinking now
DR. WALLACE: I always enjoy reading your advice to teens, and it is always sound and helpful and I have even used your expert advice several times myself.
But I do disagree with your opinion that alcohol is evil. It isn’t the alcohol that is evil, but those people who abuse the alcohol that are evil. I also feel that lawmakers must think that something magic happens at midnight on the eve of a person’s 21st birthday. It doesn’t seem fair that those under the age of 21 watch those 21 and older enjoy an alcoholic drink but can’t have one themselves.
I’m 19 and have been consuming alcohol responsibly for two years. I don’t have a boyfriend at the moment, I drive myself to parties and I usually have a drink, but no more than two, and then drive myself home. I’ve never had a problem driving after drinking responsibly, but I hate to hear people talking about, “Don’t drink and drive!”
The rule should tell it like it is: “Don’t drive after you have consumed more alcohol than you can safely handle.” — Nameless, Cumberland,
Maryland
NAMELESS: I am telling it like it is! Even one alcoholic drink can affect a person’s ability to drive an automobile safely. Medically, alcohol is classified as a depressant drug, which acts on the central nervous system, slowing activities of the brain.
Even after only one drink, a driver’s foot may be slowed a fraction of a second in the transfer from the accelerator to the brake pedal. The result could be a tragic accident. Alcohol also has an effect on the driver’s vision, and even one drink can alter depth perception.
According to the American Automobile Association, one or two drinks can cause a driver to be impaired. Even when alcohol is not an issue, driving is a challenge. Alcohol always increases this challenge.
Whether or not you agree or don’t agree, the legal age to consume alcohol is 21 and over.
Every time you consume alcohol you are in violation of the law. You owe it to all of the other automobile drivers and passengers in the Cumberland area to be alcohol-free when you are behind the wheel. I hope you find a boyfriend soon who says no to alcohol and will influence you to do the same so you can party legally and leave the driving to him so that you both arrive home safely.
DR. WALLACE: Josh and I have been dating for over a year. He is 22 and I’m 20 and we are in love. We got engaged on my birthday a couple of months ago, and although we haven’t set the date, we look forward to getting married.
My concern is that, at times, he gets violently angry with me and threatens me. Although he has never yet hit me with his fist, he has slapped me, shoved me and last week he even kicked me. He is usually sweet and nice to me until something sets him off. But then afterward he promises he’ll never get mad at me again, but somehow, he always does.
I keep telling myself that after we’re married he will behave himself all the time, but my best friend thinks otherwise. She has seen his temper a couple of times and she thinks that marrying him would be a huge mistake. Please give me your opinion about this. Nameless, Moncton, New
Brunswick, Canada
NAMELESS: No one should be subjected to any type of physical abuse, especially from someone who says he loves you and wants you to be his life’s partner. It’s a good thing he’s not your enemy!
Forget about marrying Josh, now or any time in the future. Return his ring and suggest that he get immediate psychological help in controlling his temper. Under no circumstance should you allow him to talk, beg or plead his way back into your life. When you tell him goodbye, it should be forever.
Thank your best friend for giving you very sound advice.