Stoned driver a danger on the road

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/04/2019 (2728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My uncle got into a car accident when I was a passenger. While I wasn’t hurt badly, I did scrape my forehead and the person in the other car had some minor injuries.

My mom and dad know he smokes a ton of pot and they keep asking me if he was high during the accident. They said they won’t be mad at him, but I really don’t believe them. They are old-school and remain very against pot, even though it’s legal.

Should I keep quiet or say something? I feel like I should speak up, for the sake of the person he hit, but I don’t want my uncle to be mad at me forever.

— I Love My Uncle, West End

Dear Love My Uncle: Your letter hints you have knowledge of his smoking up that fateful day. Tell your parents at least. You got hurt in this accident and so did people in the other vehicle. Next time, somebody could die.

Your uncle should not be able to get away with this and keep driving while he’s high.

Also, you shouldn’t feel you have to keep this secret. Since he smokes “a ton” of pot, chances are he’s seriously impaired most of the time. That means he’s as dangerous as a drunk driver.

Your uncle shouldn’t be on the road. It’s only a matter of time before he gets into a serious accident and hurts or kills himself or someone else.

Speak to your folks today and get this off your chest. They will deal with your uncle in an adult fashion. Your uncle has no right to be angry at you. If he was high, as you suspect, he endangered your life.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: When do you go for testing for a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? I’ve had a few sexual partners and never thought much of it, as they were always long-term relationships. But a friend of mine and I got into the discussion recently and she was shocked I’d never had any testing before.

I know doctors always tell you to get them regularly, but is that practical? Am I crazy? I thought I was too young to worry about that. I must confess I have been with a few bad actors lately.

— Worried Now, Brandon

Dear Worried: It’s past time to have your first check, so go now, or at least a few weeks before you’re tempted to bed someone new. Condoms are a good barrier protection, but they can slip off or tear.

It is advisable to have an STI test when: you are worried your partner has been cheating; you’ve just broken up with someone and want to know you are infection-free; or just after meeting a new romantic partner.

If a new prospective partner acts insulted at the suggestion they get tested, this is not someone for you.

They either don’t care about your safety or have had so many sex partners they can’t be bothered. Best to run away from this kind of devil-may-care bedmate.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave. Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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