DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and go to parties where alcohol is served. When offered any alcoholic beverage, I always say: "No, thank you. I don't drink." My girlfriend told me that next time, I should ask for a "cooler." She said that they are healthy for you and that the alcohol content is so small that it is almost insignificant. Is that true? I'm getting tired of drinking ginger ale. — Anonymous, Austin, Texas
ANONYMOUS: It appears that the producers of wine coolers want to portray just such an image. That's why wine coolers are packaged this way — to appeal to people who ordinarily do not drink alcohol. Coolers are not low in alcohol. They average 6 percent alcohol by volume, whereas beer averages 4 percent.
According to Chicago's Parkside Medical Services, teens, especially girls, are drawn to coolers because they like the name, which suggests a light, refreshing drink. This is a tremendous hazard, as you can go from lemonade to a lemon cooler in one easy step. This way, one doesn't have to acquire a taste for alcohol.
A survey revealed that 40 percent of sixth-graders and up to 80 percent of all 11th- and 12th-graders have tried a wine cooler at least one time. About 5 million American teens and 500,000 Canadian teens already have problems stemming from alcohol.
Do yourself a big favor and stick to drinking ginger ale and pure fruit juices (if available) at parties and continue to say: "No, thank you. I don't drink alcohol, and that includes wine coolers."
YOU ARE A GREAT FRIEND
DR. WALLACE: My best friend's stepfather is very mean to her. Besides being verbally abusive, he also hits her. My friend tells me everything and has shown me the bruises on her back and arms. We go to the same school.
I had my mother call her mother, but my mother was told to mind her own business and that my best friend was bad, sassy and lazy and the punishment she has received was deserved.
I really worry about my friend. She used to be a very happy girl, but now she's always sad. I am really concerned about her. My father thinks I should contact the police and have this man arrested, but I don't want to do that. This could cause more conflict with her mother. What else can I do to help my friend? We are both 12. — Anonymous, New York
ANONYMOUS: You are a great friend to this girl and perhaps her only lifeline. If her stepfather is truly abusive — and it sounds like he is — then some sort of intervention is necessary to rescue her. You must act immediately, as she could potentially face bigger dangers if nobody steps up.
If your school has a counselor or a nurse, discuss your friend's problem with one of them. If not, be brave and talk directly and privately with your principal. School personnel know what to do in situations like this. Because of your friendship with this girl, I'm positive she will be helped 100 percent. Make contact with one of these school employees right away. They will take action in light of your comments and will protect your privacy at the same time. Do it today.
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 [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.
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