DEAR ABBY: My 29-year-old son, “Earl,” has an MBA. He started drinking and doing drugs at the age of 16. Earl is highly intelligent, and he successfully hid his addiction from me. When I realized its existence, just before he left for college, it was too late for me to do anything. I offered to send him to rehab, but he refused.
I am a single mom. I tried to tell his father, but he was of no help. Earl lives in a different state now but visits me every few months. I recently realized that every time Earl visits, he buys drugs before he leaves for the airport. He has them in his carry-on bag. I am afraid Earl may be selling them. He says he stopped doing marijuana, but I can smell it on him. I’m worried something will happen to him. What can I do? — POWERLESS IN TEXAS
DEAR POWERLESS: Your fears are well-grounded. I’m surprised that when Earl’s carry-on bag is scanned at the airport, the drugs haven’t been spotted. I’m also surprised that if he has the drugs on him (reeking of marijuana) he hasn’t encountered a drug-sniffing canine, which would also lead to an arrest. You ask what you can do about this sorry situation; the answer is nothing. Your son is an adult who may have to accept the consequences for taking the risks he has.
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