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What's Worse: Alcohol or Marijuana Use?
DR. WALLACE: The guy I date is a "pothead." He smokes a lot of marijuana. Sometimes he even smokes marijuana while he is driving. He says that he is in complete control at all times, even when and after he has smoked pot. He says that …Read more.
I'm Afraid to Tell My Parents He's 20
DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and recently met the sweetest most wonderful guy in the world at a friend's wedding reception. So far, all we have done is have lunch together twice on a Saturday afternoon. I'd really like to see this fellow on a regular basis (…Read more.
Why Take Geometry? I'll Never Use it
DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and will be graduating from high school in June. I've enjoyed my school year. I've made many friends and have enjoyed learning with most of my teachers. My only complaint is that schools teach things that most students will never …Read more.
Yearly, 7,000 Lives Are Saved
DR. WALLACE: I'd like to know why we have a stupid law in the United States that requires a person to reach age 21 before legally consuming a drop of alcohol. I am a college freshman at Miami University in Florida and if I have a glass of wine at …Read more.
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Cousins Don't Normally Date Each OtherDR. WALLACE: The End of Semester Fling is the biggest dance party and school-sponsored event at our school. Even the teachers and administrators show up and have fun. Most students attend the Fling as couples, but those not dating can show up as a single. My boyfriend and I broke up a month ago, so I had planned to go as a single. But my mother saw it differently. I have a cousin who is in my grade. He is an obnoxious, shall I say, "nerd." He is mouthy, crude and ignorant. Even though he is intelligent and makes high marks, he's stupid. Guess what? My mom is making me go with this cousin. Why, you might ask? Because my aunt wants him to be more social. I don't think that it is my responsibility to help mold this nerd into a social creature. What should I do? I'll be embarrassed to be seen walking into the Fling with him. I'll be the laughing stock of the school. Please tell me what I should do. My mother will drive us there and then pick us up. - Nameless, Denver, Colo. NAMELESS: Your mother made a mistake by insisting that you accompany your cousin to the Fling. Parents should never choose a date for their teen. They should only monitor whom their teen is dating and if the date's moral character is in question, forbid the teen to date this individual. Why can't you attend the Fling as a single and have your cousin do the same? That way you can do your thing and so can he. (Maybe you could spare just one dance with him — he might even be a good dancer.) Just because you arrive with your cousin doesn't mean that your cousin is your date.
HE'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN DR. WALLACE: I'm 17, and the guy I'm dating is 19. He is a very popular party guy, and I enjoy being a party girl. Joe drinks at parties, but I don't. There are times when he has had several drinks and still tries to drive me home. If I feel that he wouldn't be a safe driver, then I insist that I do the driving. Most times he gives the keys to me. Occasionally, he will say that he is capable of driving safely. Usually, in these cases, he does drive safely, but sometimes he does weave a little. This bothers me. How long should someone wait before driving after having a drink or two? This guy says an hour. I think longer. Do you have information on this? — Nameless, Mooseheart, Ill. NAMELESS: Your friend is an accident waiting to happen! Not only is he at risk, so are his passengers and those people in vehicles he might meet on the road. Party guy or not, this teen should not be consuming alcohol. The minimum age for consuming alcohol in all 50 states and the District of Columbia is 21. Every time he has a drink, he is violating the law. According to The American Council on Science and Health, one should abstain from alcohol at least five hours prior to operating a motor vehicle. Even one beer or a glass of wine can affect a driver's judgment and coordination, even though the driver is not legally drunk! Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2012 CREATORS.COM
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