TEEN ASKS FOR HELP

DEAR ABBY Thank you for printing the letter from Alan I. Leshner, director
of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It made me realize that I am not
the only person who has returned to old habits after the Sept. 11 attacks.
I have a history of drug abuse and self-mutilation. (I cut my arms.) Sadly,
I now combine them to relieve my anxiety.

Why didn't I receive treatment as soon as these habits surfaced? Because I
am 16, and adults (and some of my peers) dismiss my behavior as "just one
of those stages teens go through."

Can you tell me, Abby, why is it that I can walk outside and within minutes
get an ounce of heroin -- but it would take two weeks to convince anyone I
need help to stop my self-destruction?

Recovering Teen, San Francisco Bay Area

DEAR RECOVERING TEEN I'm sad to say this, but it may be because the illegal
drug trade is better funded than our mental health system.

However, that's no excuse for continuing the self-destructive behavior. If
your parents won't accept that you need help to break the cycle, please
talk to another trusted adult about your need to get professional
counseling. The longer you put it off, the more difficult the habits will
be to break.