'TWEEN 12 & 20

BY DR. ROBERT WALLACE

RELEASE: FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016, AND THEREAFTER

Which is Worse, Drug or Alcohol Abuse?

DR. WALLACE: Our health education class would like to hear your answer to our question: Which is the more serious problem among teens, drugs or alcohol consumption? Most of the girls in our class say drugs and the guys say alcohol. Of course we are aware that alcohol is a drug, but we mean marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, etc. — Pedro, Nogales, Ariz.

PEDRO: Both alcohol and drug abuse are serious teen problems, but I feel alcohol causes the most harm to teens, and I have plenty of support. However, it's possible that the question doesn't have a "correct" answer.

Dr. S. Kenneth Schonberg, a professor of pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, calls alcohol the major health problem of U.S. teenagers today. More than 90 percent of high school seniors have had some experience with alcohol and about 66 percent of them drink at least once a month, and half of those will drink enough to become intoxicated. Nearly 5 percent of high school seniors have had some experience with alcohol and about 66 percent of them drink at least once a month, and half of those will drink enough to become intoxicated.

While the rate of alcohol use among teenagers is holding steady, the age at which they start to drink is going down. Youngsters often start drinking in middle or even elementary school.

Drug abuse can produce serious immediate consequences, including death. In comparison, alcohol seems like a safe high. It isn't, of course. It's just that the negative effects of alcohol abuse usually come later rather than sooner — except when the drinker gets behind the wheel of a car.

Your question is like asking which is worse, to have a broken arm or a broken leg? Both are serious injuries, but some would say a broken arm is worse while others would say that a broken leg would be more serious. There really isn't a correct answer.

SIMPLE REMEDY FOR SLEEP DEPRIVATION

DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and have a difficult time trying to get a good night's sleep because I've got a lot of things going on in my busy life. Besides a boyfriend and getting good grades, I have a part-time job (without pay) helping at a senior community center. I used to exercise before I went to bed, but I've been told that that was part of my problem. I've switched to a morning workout and it has helped me sleep better, but I still wake up a couple of times a night.

Have you heard of a simple remedy for sleep deprivation or should I seek professional help? Sleeping pills are out of the question. — Nameless, Omaha, Nebr.

NAMELESS: It could be that professional help is the only way you will get proper rest, but before you seek therapy try this simple procedure: Before going to bed, take a warm bath and drink a glass of warm milk (skim). Warmth is soothing and milk contains an amino acid that helps to induce sleep.

Sweet dreams — I hope!

YOU HAVE FALLEN INTO SECOND PLACE

DR. WALLACE: Who should have more "control" over my father, his new wife or me? I'm 17 and live with my mother, but when I visit my father, his new wife argues with me and tells me to stop trying to manipulate him. This man happens to be my father. We are blood relatives. His new wife is nothing more than a gold digger who broke up our family, and then married him for his money. — Disturbed, Kansas City, Mo.

DISTURBED: It appears that your days of controlling your father have ended. Regardless of why your stepmother married him, you have fallen to second place on the "control list." Your only recourse is to start showing your father that you love him and show his wife some respect.

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.

Photo credit: Tim Sackton