DR. WALLACE: Someone at my high school somehow knew that I had something other than just plain water in my water bottle, and this person dropped this info to our school's administration office.

The next thing I knew, an assistant principal searched my locker and even put his big nose in to smell the water in my bottle. I did have just the smallest amount of Jack Daniels in the water bottle, but it was so small that there was less than one "shot" in the whole bottle! And I had only drank about 25% of the water by the late afternoon when I got pinched for this.

I wanted to find out who "snitched" on me, but the administrator wouldn't tell me and now I'm suspended from school for two weeks. My mom was furious, and this is all due to someone ratting me out. How can I find out who did this to me?

I only sip just a little water laced with just trace amounts of Jack because it helps me to feel calm at school. Now someone has taken this resource from me. It was my security blanket and now it's gone. — I'm Not Amused With This Snitch, via email

I'M NOT AMUSED WITH THIS SNITCH: I'm not amused with your perspective on this matter. You are responsible for your own actions and your actions have put you in this position.

Any random person at your school might have smelled alcohol on your breath and informed your school's administration, rightfully so. And then from there, this person may have noticed you drinking out of your water bottle and then putting it back in your locker.

You need to realize that there is no level of alcohol that is permitted on a high school campus. And the fact you feel you need alcohol to get through your day is a red flag you should deal with immediately.

Every school has counselors who will take a direct interest in you and your well-being. I suggest you contact one right away and hold an honest and open discussion about what is going on in your life. Hopefully you can make some important changes and become reinstated to attend your school soon. And when his happens, drop your search for who turned you in. You'll likely never find out anyway, no matter what you do. Focus instead on yourself and how you can better manage your days, hopefully with the assistance of others who care about you and would like to help you,

I DIDN'T STEAL ANYTHING BUT I FEEL A BIT GUILTY

DR. WALLACE: I went with one of my friends to a local mall and this friend of mine ended up getting caught stealing, even though he had told me that he had taken many things this year at various stores. He even boasted to me that he'd never get caught because he was so good and careful at "pinching merch," as he calls it.

Well, the day he got arrested he had told me when we went into a certain store that he wanted me to just talk to and distract the one employee that was in the store that night shortly before closing time.

I did chat up the salesperson over by the cash register and then I browsed through some clothes by the back of the store. Then I walked forward, and my friends and I just left the store. I had never looked back the entire time and I saw nothing at all.

As we were approaching his car, some plainclothes officers arrested him. They separated us and they asked me a lot of questions for about 10 minutes. I told them I saw nothing and had no idea what he took or why. Eventually they let me go and I called my mother to get a ride home.

I can't stop thinking about this incident. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong at that time, but now I'm wondering if I was in the wrong. Either way I've learned my lesson and won't go shopping with that guy ever again. I guess since the holiday shopping season has begun, the security has been beefed up. My friend was not as "bulletproof" as he thought. I have not spoken to him since, but I heard he's in big trouble with both his family and the law. — All I Did Was Talk, via email

ALL I DID WAS TALK: You absolutely did something wrong. You knew in advance what he planned to do, and you participated by distracting the salesperson intentionally.

You are beyond lucky that your "friend" said nothing about your participation as you could, and should, have been arrested right alongside him as you participated in the theft via your actions.

It would be wise for you to steer clear from this activity in the future and also stop hanging out with this thief.

Think of your participation as being similar to a "getaway" driver during a bank robbery. The driver is just as guilty as the criminal participants inside the bank. You mentioned that you have learned your lesson after mulling over this incident. I hope that is indeed the case.

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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