DEAR ABBY: I'm 18 and a senior in high school. I do not drink and don't plan on drinking when prom time comes around. My problem is, I'm not sure whether or not my date will want to. I don't want to be around alcohol, and I especially do not want to have a drunk date I have to sober up before I can take her home, which might upset her parents if it's after curfew.
So how do I find out if my potential prom date is a drinker before I ask her to the prom? -- DOESN'T DRINK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
DEAR DOESN'T DRINK: I assume you won't be inviting a total stranger. Start talking with some of the girls you're considering inviting and ask them how they feel about drinking alcohol. Or, let them know how you feel about drinking, and that you don't like hanging around with people who do.
P.S. If you do find yourself with a girl who gets drunk, you should have no hesitation about returning her to her parents in that condition. And if you get any grief, point out that you are cold sober and their daughter imbibed against your wishes, too. Then let them deal with her.