"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