DR. WALLACE: I'm 17, and although I'm not an angel, I've never done anything of a serious nature.

Recently, my parents went to a community "drug awareness" meeting. I guess they told them what signs to look for if a teen is taking drugs. Now I feel like a convict in prison instead of a teen living at home. They constantly search in my bedroom, ask me a bunch of questions like: "Why are your eyes red? Why are you always tired? Why are you getting a C in Math? Are you hanging around with kids who use drugs?"

I keep telling them that I'm not on drugs and neither are my friends, but this doesn't seem to satisfy them. Sometimes I feel like trying drugs. If my parents think I'm a druggie, I might as well be one. — Nameless, Charlotte, N.C.

NAMELESS: Your parents are going through a phase in their "raising a family" responsibility. The community drug meeting has caused them to overreact, but in time they will return to normal. Trying drugs, just to spite your mom and dad, would be a very stupid move (as I'm sure you are aware).

If your parents continue their extra strenuous drug watch, you might discuss your problem with your school counselor. Sometimes an outside professional source can get parents back to thinking rationally rather than emotionally.

It's important for parents to be aware of possible drug involvement by their teens, but it is also important for parents to use some wisdom and lots of discretion.

SHE WEIGHED 88 POUNDS AT DEATH

DR. WALLACE: Please print my letter. It's very important to me that you do. I have a friend who is definitely anorexic. I've tried to talk her into eating more. She always says she will, but she doesn't. She looks like a walking skeleton. My mother has contacted my friend's mom, but was told that her daughter is just going through a phase and that "in time" she will snap out of it.

Please print the dangers of anorexia in your column as soon as you can. Sherry and I both read your column every day and discuss the teen problems and your answers. I want her mom to also see it so that she will see how dangerous it is and can do something about it. Please help and hurry! — Nicole, Milwaukee, Wis.

NICOLE: Indeed, anorexia nervosa (self-starvation) is an extremely serious eating disorder and in the majority of situations professional psychological care is necessary.

The desire to be thin overpowers some young women to the point that they view themselves in the mirror as overweight even though they are extremely thin. Ninety percent of all anorexic victims are females between the ages of 15 and 25. If anorexia is not overcome, death is not unusual.

Several years ago, Brazilian super-model Ana Reston was hospitalized because of a generalized infection. Ana started her modeling career at age 13 and was a highly popular model in Japan, China, South America, Turkey, Mexico and Canada. The 21-year-old model died of the infection that was caused by anorexia nervosa. The 5-foot, 8-inch super model weighed only 88 pounds on the day of her death.

Your friend's mother must understand that eating disorders are not a part of a passing phase! Enlist your mother's help in convincing Sherry's mother to get a medical evaluation for Sherry. It is imperative that she gets professional help for her illness. Do whatever you can to make it happen. She can't do it by herself and needs the help of her friend - you.

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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