Sincerely,Tom (not my real name)

Dear Sandra,Dave told me that if his father ever caught him

drinking again, he would go absolutely ballistic', if youknow what I mean. Plus, I'm afraid my parents wouldforbid' me from seeing Dave anymore. But, I don't wantthis to happen because we've been buddies" sinceelementary school.

Anyway, last week I told Dave at school hecouldn't come stay at my place if he drank. I said myparents were suspicious, and he promised he wasn'tgoing to drink much, but then that night, just like always,he did. He pleaded with me" to let him stay at my place,and what am I supposed to do? I mean, he's my buddy.In the end, I let him come over - r couldn't just abandon'zhim. He apologized the next day, like always, andpromised it wouldn't happen again. I'm afraid it will,though, and I don't know what to do. Please help.

() A boy is writing a letter to his high school newspaper's advice column.What does he need advice about?

I'm writing about a friend's ~drinking problem."One of the guys I hang out with' likes to drink, and I don'tthink he's an alcoholic! or anything, but last weekend I gotinvolved in some trouble, and I need to know what to do.

On the weekend I usually hang out at the mall'.You know, some of the guys like to drink beers out in theparking lot. But a couple of times my best friend Dave(not his real name, of course) brought some hard liquor·.I don't know where he gets it. And he got pretty drunk.In fact, every time we go alit, he gets really drunk.

The real problem is he can't go home if he's beendrinking, so he came home with me and crashed' in mybedroom. I had to sneak him in' without letting my par­ents know. If we'd been caught, I'm sure that my parentswould have called Dave's parents, and that WOllldn't begood. Here's the really bad part. Dave's family seemskind of unstable'. His parents are always fighting and Ican understand why Dave wants to get away. And even

probably why he's drinking so much .--------------------------.......

1. What does Dave do when he's with his friends? ..

2. What is Dave's famity like? , ,..""".•,.".."., "."." ",.." " " " "." .

3. Whal does the writer do 10 help Dave? .

POinTS m mw Read these three opinions.

Trin

He should tell his parentshonestly about Dave.

CoN

He shouldn"t (ell anyone. butshould let Dave Slay at his place.

Anion

He shouId talk to Dave'sparents.

1

Match the supporting statements with the opinions. Write the numbers in the boxes.Each opinion has two supporting statements.

supporting statements2 3

Tom needs 10 find some help forDa\c.

4

Tom needs 10 lell the truth aboutDa...e. even if he lose~ Dave as afnend.

Now compare with a classmate.

If 03\C is In trouble. Dave's familyneeds to know aboul it.

5

/"Tom i.s old enough to deal with hisown problems. He docsn"t need toinvolve his or 0:l\'e'8 parenlS.

03\C may nO( be telling the truth.His family probably ~aniS 10 htlphim.

6

It might be a temporary problem.Tom should wait to see whathappens.

Wo~ in a group of three. Ask your partners:

Do you agree with Trin? Do you agree with Carla? Do you agree wffh Anton?Answer 101' each person: I really agree / I agree / I disagree / I really disagree.

WUIlT IlR' YOUR VlllUU?

Do you think Dave has a serious problem? State your position and support your ideas.Use new ideas in addition to the ideas above.

You. POOlilion

Shouki alcohol be treated like a drug?

( (LAtIni"' E tlCIlA"""')~ .-f<>nn groups and

discuss your _ and

supporti '9 statements.

Worit in a group. Divide into two teams, "For" and "Against.. Write down your ideas. Think about how you willanswer the other side's ideas. Debate the question for 10 minutes.

myodeas

-_._-------

useful ph,.....

Beginning - The Wirf I see ll.. If you ask me...Disagreeing - I don't thInk so... That may be true, but..EndIng - Regardless, I thlnk.. In spite of what you say, I think..