Being a friend? Anyone can answer!?

I would say, continue to be supportive and an active friend. Christ would only do the same. Christ does not stop loving us when we make wrong choices, but continues to do so.

Marion D Hanks, (LDS leadership), once said that we should not love based on whether the person we are loving is good or bad, but we should love because WE are trying to be good.

That is how God loves us. He does not love us because WE are good. He loves us because HE is good.

As you continue unyielding to love and support your friend, eventually, and hopefully, they will come around.

Karen, you are a very good friend. The most you can do is try your hardest to do what you think is right for her, and it is eventually up to her to realize how much effort you and hopefully her family are putting into getting her life back to normal. As for the LDS thing, I don't think that you should force her to go to church, it depends on if she is religious or if she has faith; if she doesn't believe in LDS then there is no point in making her. If I were you I would sit down with her and talk with her about all of it; find a place and time just between you two and talk about it; let her get her emotions out. I find that talking is the best way to get people to listen (go figure) and when they realize that you are making an effort they will change. Try your best, but eventually it is up to her. If she doesn't want to change then there is really nothing else you can do, except talk to her parents about it and let them take care of it; then it will become a family issue and you shouldn't interfere. Lets hope it doesn't get that far. Hope I helped!

It's entirely a personal choice. She will not change until she decides to make a change. She can talk all day about what she wants to do and how she knows she's living wrong, but until she truly desires to change her ways nothing you do will accomplish it.

As far as reading the scriptures that's something that is ultimately up to her. You could call her every day and read a scripture or two together. But you can't babysit her.

My life turn around came as a result of a touch from God. But I had to accept that touch, I had to be willing to let God work on me. Family and friends really had nothing to do with it. None of them were terribly supportive.

Guess what I'm saying is that reading scriptures, and being "buddies" is all great but until she makes a decision to change not even God Almighty will change her (because he doesn't force people).

I would say that if your friend recognizes that they are taking their life in a direction they are not happy with that is the first step. Like any kind of young person, she seems to be very influenced by what her peers think. If you want to help her make the right choices with her life, tell her what you think the right choices you've made in your life are.

You have to realize that you alone are not enough to draw her back from this brink of self destructive behavior. It would be best, regardless of religion, if you encourage her to seek assistance from some teen counseling professionals at her school or church.

Many people here may claim they see no problems with the occasional experimentation with illegal substances. They are people who are trying to justify their own wrong behavior by drawing other people into their activities. It certainly is a good choice to draw a line in the sand against using illegal drugs, or engaging in underage and excessive alcohol consumption. I have never in my experience seen where illegal drug use or excessive alcohol consumption helped a person with their life. I have seen many people who have ruined their lives by it though.

Like most people on the edge of engaging in illegal and potentially addictive behavior, your friend needs to make a conscious choice not to participate. The first step in making that choice is to not become friends, or get involved with people who have already committed themselves to that path. I understand this can be tricky for some easily impressionable teenagers, but it is easy enough to accomplish with willpower and support from family and friends.

As far as getting your friend to be more active in your church, I am presuming she is also of the LDS faith. If she is not an LDS member already, I would recommend you go slow and easy on promoting your religion with her. Any agressive recruiting is going to give her the impression that she is under as much social pressure from you as from the other "bad" crowd, and it will make it harder for her to break free from them. Let her know she is invited, and welcome. Don't make her feel like she is being coerced in a moment of weakness. I hope this helps.

I can tell how much you care for your friend and I think it is wonderful. That being said, there really isn't much you can do. You said your friend is aware that she isn't making the best choices so it really is up to her. I would suggest that the next time she says something about doing the wrong thing, you should probably tell her you are concerned about her and ask her what you can do to help her to make the right choices? Leave the control of the dialog to her. Just let her know you are there and you care.

If I were you, I'd try to involve her in activities that she will view as fun. Scripture and church might be it, or it might not. A sure way to push her away from you is for her to think you're trying to control her and/or take away her fun. Just be a good friend to her, involve in her things you'd do with any other friend...shopping, looking at guys (c'mon admit it), sleepovers, movies, etc. Don't push her too much. Sounds like you're doing a good job so far.

I had this friend that I've known since 5th grade. When she was 12 she started smoking pot and having sex. I didn't say anything because I felt like she had it under control. When we were in high school she started doing coke and became a prostitute, I didn't say anything because I was afraid of pushing her away. When I became a mother I started to realize how messed up my friend really was. I started realizing how her parents must have felt. She came to visit me when I had my kid and she was still a prostitute and now she'd gotten into even worse drugs. I always regret not stepping up and telling her that her behavior was not okay. I hope you find the courage to say something before it's too late and you regret it.

Use tact but please say SOMETHING!

i,ve been using crack and powder cocaine almost seven years on daily bases. I am free of it another seven years now. the decision must be made by her. there is really noting helping, but a self preservation instinct and decision made based on this, I odeed more then once,more, than i can share, but, i was going to a point, when i just got simply tired of that never ending dance, a slavery to it, really. maybe, you could get some advice at local self help groups, i did not joined any, but, you might get an idea, what to do and what NOT to do or say. good luck to both of you.

Try talking to her parents about it. Parents have a lot of wisdom concerning their own children, they know them from experience. Although it may seem back-stabbish or putting her in a trap and things like that, in the end she may thank you for it, but do expect that her reaction will be negative towards you for doing the right thing. Pray for her in the meantime and think about your life and try not to let it drag you down. If you persevere and stay strong and live your life, then one day she may see that light and want to be like you and really try this time.

I think you have to let people make their own decisions and having a drink, even smoking a joint, isn't going to make that much of a difference.... most educated people did not grow up tea total, they experimented a little and are probably a more balanced person because of that.