DR. WALLACE: I'm a 14-year-old girl and I need your advice. My mom and this guy have been going together for the past three years and they are getting married next month.

This is my problem: About a month ago, this guy made a pass at me when my mother was at work. I was scared, but about a week later I told my mom what happened. She said she didn't believe me and that I was only trying to keep her from getting married because I didn't like the guy.

She also told me that if I didn't like this guy well enough to call him "Daddy," maybe I should move in with my real dad and his wife. I don't know what to do. I really don't want to leave my friends. Please tell me what I should do. My dad lives in another state. — Nameless, Orlando, Fla.

NAMELESS: Your mother should listen to you, and the fact that she won't puts you in a difficult bind. I realize that leaving your friends is a terribly difficult choice, but I think it's the one you should make. Living with a stepfather who has made a pass at you is out of the question. There's no way you will ever respect — or trust — him now. This guy is bad news.

Move in with your father and stepmother as soon as school ends for summer break. You can begin during summertime to get acquainted with your new environment, and check out the local parks and recreation programs this summer. And I'm sure you'll make a new set of friends once your new school starts in the fall.

I COULDN'T CONVINCE HIM NOT TO DRIVE

DR. WALLACE: I went to a party where alcohol was evident and saw an old boyfriend there. When I talked to him, I could tell he'd had too much to drink. I told him to slow down and left it at that. But when the party ended, my best friend and I did our best to convince him not to drive his truck. I even offered to drive him home, but he said he was perfectly capable of driving safely. He blew me a kiss and took off.

The following day I got a call from another friend telling me he'd been in an accident. He damaged his truck severely, though he wasn't seriously injured because he had enough sense to wear his seatbelt. I'm really bothered that I couldn't convince him not to drive. If only I had been more persistent and demanded that he not drive in his condition. I called him and told him I was sorry I had failed him.

I'm writing this letter and hoping you can print it to let teens know that it is their duty to stop friends from driving when they're drunk! I won't make this mistake again! — Nameless, Jackson, Miss.

NAMELESS: Thanks for sharing your story. You did far more to head off trouble than most people ever do. The problem is that alcohol not only impairs a person's physical coordination, it hinders the brain's ability to think clearly and made sound judgments. Someone who is drunk is far less likely to listen to reason than he would be if sober. Convincing a drunk not to drive home can be extremely difficult.

However, your letter alerts us that we must try. Your premonition was absolutely correct. Your ex was in no shape to drive. He's lucky to have escaped serious injury — and not to have hurt or killed anyone else.

Teens, remember to do everything you can to keep your friends from driving after they've been drinking! And, above all, never risk your own life by getting into their car as a passenger!

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.

Photo credit: Eli Christman