DR. WALLACE: My sister is four months pregnant and is a cocaine user. My parents have talked to her about the fact that the baby could have serious problems, both physical and mental, if she continues to take cocaine. Maybe if she reads about pregnant women who use cocaine and the possible problems to the unborn baby, she might wise up and get the help she needs. I know my sister would like to kick the habit. She has already told me so. — Nameless, Las Vegas, Nev.

NAMELESS: I contacted the Center Recovery Services of Community Psychiatric Centers Hospital in Santa Ana, California, and presented your letter to the director. The information in their response follows:

Miscarriage or stillbirth may result from the use of cocaine or crack during the early months of pregnancy. Use at a later stage may cause premature labor or delivery. Sometimes, when the drug causes the placenta to separate early, the lives of both mother and baby are in danger from shock and bleeding.

Babies exposed to cocaine in the womb may be generally irritable and unresponsive, failing to cuddle or nurse well. Some of these babies have suffered strokes before birth, or heart attacks following delivery. Infants born to mothers who use cocaine may have malformed kidneys and may be at increased risk of seizure or crib death (sudden infant death syndrome). Because nursing mother can pass cocaine to their babies through breast milk, babies fed milk containing cocaine may be prone to suffer some of the same heart and brain problems as adults.

Recovery is possible for cocaine and crack users, although the long-lasting craving for these drugs makes addiction difficult to beat without assistance. There are many treatment programs available throughout the country to help people kick their habits and stay off cocaine and crack.

Whatever it takes to get your sister in for professional treatment — do it now!

I WANT TO COMMEND YOUR PARENTS

DR. WALLACE: Our parents allow my twin sister and me to have a party every month at our house. Both boys and girls are invited. My parents furnish the snacks and soft drinks.

One of the things the girls like to do is fast dance, but the boys don't know how. All they do is slow dance and they don't do that very well either. Once in a while a boy will try to fast dance, but will quit after a few minutes because everyone laughs at him.

We like to include boys at our parties, but we want them to fast dance. Help! — The Twins, Saint Louis, Mo.

TWINS: First of all, I want to commend your parents for providing you and your friends with a place to have supervised and wholesome fun.

The best way to get the boys to fast dance is to teach them. Divide and conquer. For the next several parties, invite three or four boys and the same number of girls and teach the boys the basics. After these boys feel confident (it probably will take two or three lessons), invite another small group of boys for individualized dance instructions.

The time will be well-spent. In a few months, your parties will be so successful that no one will want to turn off the music!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.