My friends are upset that I called the police on their suicidal daughter — should I have intervened?

DEAR ABBY: My neighbors, with whom I have a close relationship, have three adult children. They have always prioritized being their children’s friends and being “popular” parents, avoiding discipline and guidance in their children’s lives.

Recently, their 19-year-old daughter had a serious incident at a friend’s house due to drug and alcohol problems. When her parents called me for help, the situation escalated as the daughter became uncontrollable, violent, and suicidal.

Despite my suggestion to call 911, the parents wanted to handle the situation by tying her to furniture to sleep it off. Feeling the gravity of the situation, I called the police, and the daughter was taken to the hospital for a 72-hour hold. Now, the parents are upset with me, but I believe I did the right thing given the circumstances. Should I reconsider our friendship? — INTERVENING IN ARIZONA

DEAR INTERVENING: You absolutely did the right thing by calling for professional help in that situation. It’s important to prioritize the daughter’s well-being over the parents’ preferences. It might be a good idea to reevaluate your friendship with the parents, as their reaction to your actions is concerning.

On another note,

DEAR ABBY: I had plans with a friend, but she canceled last minute claiming she forgot about our plans and made other arrangements. She admitted that she chose to spend time with someone else instead of me, which hurt me. How should I address this situation? — CAST OFF IN MICHIGAN

DEAR CAST OFF: It’s understandable that you feel hurt by your friend’s actions. It’s important to communicate your feelings to her and set boundaries for future interactions. If she continues to prioritize others over your plans, it may be time to reassess the friendship and spend time with people who value your time and company.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.