Dear Bloggy,

I’m a sophomore in high school and my best friend – who is also a sophomore—has been going to parties with college guys and sometimes she stays the night in their dorms, but tells her parents she’s with me. (I’m sure they are not sleeping!). I’m really worried about her and fear she might be using marijuana and other drugs, also. I’m scared to tell her parents or our guidance  counselor because I don’t want her to think I’m a snitch. Help!

Signed,

Loyal but Worried Best Friend.

Dear Loyal but Worried Best Friend,

Your dedication to your bestie is commendable. I know trust and keeping secrets are among the top rules in the BFF Bible, but sometimes safety trumps promises.  As a high school student, your friend is likely not mature enough to handle the peer pressure she’s encountering on a college campus around a bunch of testosterone-heavy frat boys. So, this is serious because five things can happen: 1) She can get raped or coerced into sex, if she hasn’t already. 2) She can get pregnant if she’s willingly experimenting sexually. 3) She can be exposed to hardcore drugs and addiction. 4) She can ruin her reputation. 5) She can ruin her focus on her last two years of high school.

As you can see, the stakes are pretty high.

Before going over her head, I recommend that you sit down with your friend, tell her how much you love her and that you’re giving her an ultimatum. Tell her that either she asks her parents if she can attend these parties or confess what she’s been seeing and doing at these parties... or you’re going to tell them everything for her.

I know it puts you in a tough position, but sometimes friendship requires boldness!

Take care,

Bloggy.