I got a phone call tonight from a close friend.  She was concerned about a friend of hers.  Apparently, he had recently called her asking for help.  He had dropped out of school, was an alcoholic and now is involved in heavy drugs.  His parents know nothing of any of this.  She was asking me for advice on what to do.  Her friend came to her in confidence.  He doesn’t want anyone, especially his parents to know about what he was going through.  What do you do?

Truth of the matter is while I spend many hours writing on creativity, relationships and the redefinition success, I don’t have a clue how to help her or her friend.  I honestly wish I did.  Should she tell his parents, who probably love and care about him more than anyone else right now?  But often times that amount of love can blind you.  My father cared about me so much in high-school I couldn’t stand him for it.  His care often turned into worry which can sometimes be more destructive that constructive.  

I understand her concern and to be honest I’m concerned too.  This is just an area that I’m not very versed in.  If it were up to be I’d lock the boy in a padded room and slide gruel under the door until he was officially detoxed.  I’d like to tell him to just “Man Up” and take responsibility for himself.  Maybe give him a quick right to jaw just help him realize he is still alive.

I need some help here because, honestly, I don’t know what to do either.  I’m keeping him in my thoughts a prayers, but I believe that some kind of action from those who care about needs to take place.  I just don’t know what that action might be.