"I only
November 8-14,1987, Michgian Citizen
ish I had listened sooner"
17
Dear Erik,
I have been reading your
column for 0 r Cl year now,
d I feel that yC'!: ace doing a
good job. I only wish I h d lis
tened sooner. I have changed
my life, due to your column.
Its good to know that you are
elping young peop , who
ha� drug problems. I now
o that drugs are the num
ber one killer among
teenagers in this country. My
brother and I started using
drugs en we were just 15
year old. We felt that we
could handle it, instead the
ere handling and using
I
I
us. We tried e�iything from
smoking marajuana to
cocaine to crack. Its hard to
believe DOW, but thought
we were having a good time. I
am now 22 years old and my
brother i dead! He died from
using crack. This letter is very
difficul for me to write, but I
thought I could elp someone
who may be using crack.
Please stop it! You are hurting
peop e 0 love you and even
more than that, you're hurting
yourself.
DavidJ.
En . 0, California
Eri
I am 15 years old and I am
in high school I am writing
you a letter about my
boyfriend. F"JISt, I have to tell
you that he is a really 'cool'
and nice person. He is always
there for me and he cares
about me. Thats why this Ie -
ter is so hard to write. "Jimmy"
(not his real name) has been
drinking a lot lately. No one
knows about it but me. He
hides the liquor in little bot
tles in his locker .or in his car.
He's not even aware that I
know that he drinks. At firt I
thought it was because of the
problems he is having at
home. Now, I am not sure just
what the problem is anymore.
I don's want him to drink and
I don't know what to do about
it.
K.C.,
Roanoke, Virginia
Dear K.C.,
"Jimmy" is very fortun te
to ve you a loving nd
caring friend. He may be ex
periencing problem that he
may not 1m ho to d I
lth, therefore he may not
able to sh re them ·th you.
Even though you nt to help
him, i "Jlmm who ha to
want to help himself. lbi i
very important. Go to him
nd let him 1m th t you
re of hi drinking
probl m. Let him kno th t
yo t to h p him. There
is free eoun eling for teens,
o com W �
d liquor In your . You
·th your guidance
co dor about elf-hdp
centers or you can find them
in yell
Best of Luck,
Eri W hingto
Dear Erik,
A few days ago, I was in
vited to dinner at a friend's
home. I was told it was going
to be nothing fancy just lots of
fun and to dress casual. I
thought it would be fun to
bring an old friend of ours.
These two people have not
seen each other in over five
years. I thought it would be a
great surprise! When I showed
up with my unvited guest, we
were greeted by a very cold
host. He wasn't happy to see
me or our friend. Everyone at
the dinner were acting very dif
ferent and no one bothered to
speak to my guest. Finally, my
guest decided to leave and as
I was driving I had to leave
also. The next day our rude
host called and he was very
upset with me. To make a
long story short, it seems my
guest once made an indecent
pass to the host's wife. Well,
how was I to know? I thought
they auld be happy to see
ech other. All I tried to do
bring two people
together. I still don't think that
I as wrong. Everyone knows
that my intentions were good.
My host wanted me to
apologize and I didn't. Was I
wrong?
O.E.,
Philadelphia, Penn.
on ! And you
you 11', becau
big boo boo.
AI
,
Eri W hington
Got a problem? Need an
answer? Or do you just want to
talk? Then write to Erik
Washington in care of The
Michigan Citizen, 16032 Wood
ward, Highland Park, Michigan
48203 or to: 'Dear Erik', TImes
Square Station, P.O. Box 755,
New York, New York 10108-
0755