DR. WALLACE: My mother is like a mother hen. She is always there to protect me and when I'm going to be away from her, she gives me a lecture about staying out of trouble and avoiding drugs and alcohol. It seems like I've heard her "don't do this and don't do that" lecture a hundred times in the past few years. I'm not into drugs and I don't drink, so you would think that Mom would save her energy and talk about the weather or my very good grades. Is it possible that deep down she doesn't trust me? — Nameless, Goshen, Ind.

NAMELESS: Your mom is a wise and caring parent. When parents actively discuss the effects of illegal drugs and alcohol consumption with their children, the children are far more likely to stay away from them.

The results of a nationwide study by the nonprofit Partnership for a Drug-Free America, of nearly 10,000 preteens, teens and parents, scream out at parents to play an active role in their children's activities. The study shows that, of the teens who said they learned nothing about the risks of drugs from their parents, 45 percent now smoke pot. Use dropped to 33 percent among those who said they had learned "a little bit" about drug risks from their parents, and it went down to 26 percent among teens who had been properly warned about drugs.

Most parents surveyed thought they were doing an adequate job teaching about drug risks to their teens. Almost all (98 percent) reported they had talked to their teens about drugs, but just 68 percent of the teens remembered any drug conversations, and only 27 percent found the discussions useful.

Researchers noted that the earlier a child learns about the negative effects of drugs and alcohol, the less chance he or she will get involved.

DON'T BE SO QUICK TO BREAK UP

DR. WALLACE: Zack and I had dated for over a year, but I sort of got tired of him so we stopped seeing each other. The breakup happened about three months ago. I've been with several guys since then, but none of them were what I was looking for and, after giving it a lot of thought, I came to realize that I really cared for Zack. I know he was upset and disappointed the night I informed him I had lost the spark I once had for him. I have not talked with him since.

I called him last night and told him I made a mistake and would like to see him again. I thought he would be overjoyed, but to my surprise he said he didn't want to see me. I asked him if he was seeing someone else and he said no. Deep down, I know Zack has feelings for me. He even told me he loved me and wanted to marry me. I don't understand how he could want me to be his future wife and three months later tell me to get lost. What should I do? — Melody, Memphis, Tenn.

MELODY: When you told Zack that you had lost the spark, you put out his fire. He's no longer interested in you. That's just how it goes sometimes. If you're hurt, you have an inkling of how Zack felt when you broke up with him.

It's time to move on with your life. That shouldn't be so hard since you seem to have no problem getting dates. Continue dating until that spark returns. And maybe next time, don't be quite so quick to break up with the guy.

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.