Classic Ann Landers

Dear Ann Landers: Last weekend, I attended the funeral of a young woman I knew growing up. "Betsy" was 22 years old. She was not only intelligent and beautiful but also a very responsible person.

Like most other young people, she liked to have fun. She went out for the evening with a group of friends, and they attended a party where there were about 30 others. Betsy hadn't been there an hour before she started to complain of dizziness and nausea. She collapsed on the floor and lay there unconscious while her "friends" drank, danced and partied around her. Not one person attempted to help her or call 911. It wasn't until the wee hours of the morning, when the kids were sober and the party was breaking up, that they took her to the hospital. By then, she had been dead for more than eight hours, according to the coroner.

Apparently, someone had slipped a drug into Betsy's drink. The police suspect the drug was much worse than the average "date rape" drug. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless and has a tendency to cause violent bodily reactions, even death. Local newspapers failed to report that the week before, several other young people had died after attending a club where that same drug was put into their drinks.

Ann, please encourage your readers to be extremely cautious when attending clubs, parties or other social events where drinks are being served. It doesn't matter whether or not you know most of the people there. You never can be sure what someone will do. In a split second, a person's whole life can change — or end.

If this warning saves even one life, it will be worth the time it took to write this letter. — T.W., Houston

Dear T.W.: Many thanks for the opportunity to warn my readers about the dangers of these drugs. If you are drinking anything at a party — even a soft drink — be sure it never leaves your hands and that you are aware of what is going on around you. If you notice anyone experiencing dizziness or nausea, get him or her to a hospital immediately. A life could depend on it.

Dear Ann Landers: I've been married for seven months and am very happy except for one thing — my husband's insomnia. "Herb" finds himself awake at 3:30 a.m. and claims he cannot sleep unless the TV is on. This wakes me up. Even if the sound is off, the light disturbs me.

I've told Herb how I feel, but he says that if I truly loved him, I would be more concerned about his lack of sleep. We end up fighting. Last night, I threatened to smash the TV with a hammer. I fear I'm becoming irrational because I'm not getting enough rest. I need your help. — Sleepless in Miami

Dear Miami: If separate bedrooms are not possible, I recommend earplugs and an eye mask. If that doesn't solve the problem, ask your doctor to recommend a sleep disorder clinic for treatment.

Is alcohol ruining your life or the life of a loved one? "Alcoholism: How To Recognize It, How To Deal With It, How To Conquer It" can turn things around. Send a self-addressed, long, business-sized envelope and a check or money order for $3.75 (this includes postage and handling) to: Alcohol, c/o Ann Landers, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Ann Landers and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

ANN LANDERS (R)

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