KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR \ Annie's Mailbox 19-year-old doesn't want baby's father around

Dear Annie: My friend's 19-year-old daughter is pregnant as a result of a one-night stand. "Beverly" says she doesn't want the father involved in the baby's life, nor does she want him to pay child support. She plans to put "father unknown" on the birth certificate.
I could understand her decision if she had a good career and could support herself and a baby. However, Beverly works at a low-paying job and gets government assistance for her food and medical bills. There's no way she could afford a baby sitter while keeping a job.
Is this the way the system is supposed to work -- where taxpayers support children, and the fathers don't have to pay? Concerned Friend and Taxpayer
Dear Taxpayer: No, it's not the way the system is supposed to work, but the system isn't geared primarily to prevent people from misusing it. Beverly should be receiving child support from the baby's father, but you can't force her to go after it. Let's hope she is smart enough to work hard and provide a decent life for her child.
Dear Annie: I was interested in your column about the possible connection between memory loss and the use of statins for treatment of high cholesterol. I worked with Alzheimer's patients for 12 years, and the one cause I saw repeatedly for dementia was low thyroid function. Once the thyroid problem was treated, the person regained memory function. This test is easy and cheap and should be considered first when anyone suffers memory loss. I hope this might be of use. L.A. Jack
Dear Jack: You undoubtedly have helped someone today. Thank you.
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