DR. WALLACE: I'm really confused about being in love. I'm 15 and I fell in love with Roberto when I was 14. I felt that someday we would get married. Then I met Carlos. I soon forgot all about Roberto and Carlos was my true love. That lasted about two months, until I met my cousin at a family reunion. It was love at first sight for both of us. We kept our romance alive even though we lived over 400 miles from each other. Then I met Mario at a party. We started dating, so I wrote to my cousin and told him, "Thank you for being so sweet, but I have a new boyfriend."

I really think I love Mario, but since my "love" track record is filled with crushes rather than love, how can I be sure that I'm really in love? - Nameless, El Paso, Tex.

NAMELESS: What's happening is that you become quickly attracted to all these boys, then after a month or so the attraction starts to fade. You needn't think of this as a problem. It's perfectly natural. There's also no need to call this attraction "love" — or to find your one, true, lifelong love when you are 14 or 15 years old!

Indeed, it would be a little worrisome if you did find the "perfect" guy at such a young age. I advise you to relax about this. Enjoy the company of these boys, but don't worry that your feelings toward them aren't permanent. When older, you'll start looking for qualities in guys that can endure past the initial attraction. When you find one with these qualities, you'll be able to make a commitment that lasts. Slowly, this commitment will turn to love.

THE MINIMUM DRINKING AGE IS 21

DR. WALLACE: I'm 18 and like to party. I don't do drugs, but I do enjoy a few (sometimes more) alcoholic beverages. Once in a while I have a bit too much to drink and I get a little tipsy. I don't like this feeling, especially when I'm going to drive. I've been told that if you eat while you drink it is harder to get drunk. Is this true? — Nameless, Tulsa, Okla.

NAMELESS: Food eaten either shortly before or while drinking alcohol will slow down the rate at which the alcohol enters the bloodstream. Ultimately, however, all the alcohol consumed will be absorbed into the blood. This could occur as you are getting into your car.

Never drive after you have been drinking. It's not fair to you, your passengers, and every living thing that might be unlucky enough to cross your path. Wise up! You can party and still have a great time without consuming alcohol

But just in case you are not aware of the minimum age to consume alcohol, allow me to inform you. It's 21 in all states and the District of Columbia.

WHAT IS HASH?

DR. WALLACE: I'm dating a guy who doesn't do drugs, but once in a while he smokes a little "hash." I know that "hash" is a strong form of tobacco and is bad for your health, but at least it's not a drug. What exactly is hash? — Nameless, Gary, Ind.

NAMELESS: Somewhere along the line, you've been fed some misinformation. "Hash" (hashish) is the juice from the flower and seeds of the marijuana plant, and chemically, it is 10 times stronger than the marijuana leaf. Hashish is a potent illegal drug!

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.