Your friend really needs to make sure her son understands what it is he's doing and what impact that could have on his future. has she asked him what he wants from his future maybe his ideas and hers differ. has anyone found out if he actually wants to go to college, i know education is vitaly important but for some its role comes to an end sooner than for others and some need or want to do something different.

it is important that your friend understands that she cannot control or change his behaviour all she can ensure is that he understands what he's doing and support him where she can.

on the issue of smoking, drinking etc i think if he understands the possible consiquences there is nothing more she can do, and to remember that he's a 15 year old boy and he will grow up and although some kids go down the wrong path many teens who have behaved the same as her son in their youth grew up and grew out of alot of those things.