DR. WALLACE: I'm 19, and my boyfriend is 21. He is a great guy, and I care for him very much. He was born in Mexico, but is now an American citizen. My parents were born in Spain, but I was born in Ft. Collins, Colo. My father was teaching at Colorado State University. My boyfriend and I have travelled to Mexico twice, and we stayed with his parents in the state of Jalisco. I enjoy being there. It helps that I can speak Spanish fluently. His family is very nice, and I love Mexican food.

When my boyfriend and I have gone out with some of his friends, they all end up smoking something called Peyote. Of course, I did not smoke it. I asked my boyfriend what the contents were and if it was a drug. He told me that it came from tree bark and that it gave the smoker a mellow feeling, but that it is not a drug. Will you please enlighten me about Peyote? After smoking it, my boyfriend seemed to be "spaced out." — Nameless, Colorado Springs, Colo.

NAMELESS: Peyote is considered an illegal drug and comes from the peyote cactus, which grows in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico. Certain Native American tribes have been using peyote in religious ceremonies for centuries.

Several years ago, the U.S. government gave the OK for peyote use in the religious services by members of Native American tribes who live in the United States. Peyote is not permitted to be used by any other U.S. citizen.

Peyote can be smoked, or chewed and swallowed. Its prime purpose is to cause the user to hallucinate. The major dangers of this drug are psychosis, psychological dependence, paranoia and the instigation of irrational, potentially hazardous behavior.

THE TEEN MARKET IS HOT

DR. WALLACE: Why are television executives putting out tons of programs aimed at teens? We have some money to buy advertised products, but we are limited in our cash outlay. — Michael, Talladega, Ala.

MICHAEL: Teens might not have ready cash, but often they have a tremendous influence on how the family budget is disbursed, from the food on the dinner plate to the automobile in the garage. Manufacturers and television executives both are aware of this teen power.

Entertaining teens with television programs aimed at their interests isn't their prime concern. It's their money, and today, the teen market is hot.

WHAT IS THE RED CROSS LIFE-SAVING COURSE?

DR. WALLACE: I'm 14 and considered to be a very mature and considerate young lady. My mother's friend asked if I'd like to have a part-time job babysitting for her two children, ages 2 and 3. I told her yes, and then she told me to complete a Red Cross life-saving course and I would be hired. None of my friends who babysit have ever heard of a life-saving course. What is it? — Nameless, Elizabethtown, Ky.

NAMELESS: I contacted a Red Cross office, and was informed that almost all Red Cross offices offer a course in babysitting that would prepare teens to take superb care of young children. This course is a must for all would-be babysitters.

Stop by your local Red Cross office for more information about the course, which includes life-saving techniques. Maybe you can encourage your friends to join you in this excellent program.

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. E-mail him at [email protected]. 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.