|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
All materials on this website are copyrighted. Copyright © 2005-2008 by The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York. All rights reserved.
Mac users: please note that our site is optimized for the Safari browser. |
|
''Hard'' drugs
|
I found white powder in my friend's car
Originally Published: January 30, 1998
~ Last Updated / Reviewed on: May 26, 2006
|
|
|
Alice, I found a white powder in my friend's car and I think it might be cocaine. I'm not sure if it is or not. I don't know if I should confront him with it or what I should do. I don't want to see my friend get hurt, but if I'm wrong, I don't want to falsely accuse him of something like this. How should I go about handling the situation?
Dear Reader, Talking with friends about drug use can be tricky because opinions about drug use (including alcohol and tobacco) vary widely, and are often strongly held. Especially with illegal drugs like cocaine, there could be a strong stigma or danger associated with acknowledging use. In this situation, it seems like the bottom line is that you care about your friend and want to support him. Talking about a possible drug problem is an expression of your concern. Though it might be perceived as an accusation, perhaps you can frame the discussion in a way that makes clear that you are not trying to find fault or be judgmental. Assuming what you found is cocaine, your friend may have different attitudes about drug use than you, which is his prerogative. Some people feel experimentation or occasional use is ok. Others believe any use of drugs is dangerous and unhealthy. It can be difficult to judge what is unhealthy or harmful for someone else. Substances like cocaine can be highly addictive. What starts off as something fun or occasional may turn into dependence. To read more about the side effects of this substance, check out Alice's related Q&A on Cocaine. You may want to keep in mind that if your friend does have a problem, he may feel embarrassed or not want to admit to using drugs. By expressing your concern, you may want to let him know that he has options for seeking help if he chooses, even if he doesn't want to tell you. You might give him a number for a local support group like Narcotics Anonymous (NA). You can find more information about NA and a listing of meetings in different cities at http://www.na.org/. Cocaine Anonymous also has a toll free helpline: (800) 347-8998. In the end, it is your friend's responsibility to make his own choices; you can't choose for him. It may take time for him to decide to ask for help. It can also be scary and upsetting if someone you care about has a drug problem. If you want to get support for yourself, you might consider talking with someone you trust, like a counselor, or someone from one of the resources listed above. If you are a Columbia student, you can make an appointment with a counselor by calling Counseling and Psychological Services x4-2878. Privacy and confidentiality are usually important to maintaining trust among friends, so you might want to think carefully about what kind of information you share and with whom you share it, if you are not talking with a professional. If you decide to confront your friend and it turns out the white stuff is a stash of corn starch, baby powder, or powdered sugar, you can both have a good laugh, and perhaps a fresh-smelling glove compartment, some smooth skin, or a sweet treat!
Related Q&As |
Go Ask Alice! is not an emergency or instant response service.