# A friend of mine has gone missing...
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-of-mine-has-gone-missing/262357
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 31, 2004, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-of-mine-has-gone-missing/262357 "2004-08-31T03:22:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@remisser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/remisser)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2004, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-of-mine-has-gone-missing/262357/1 "2004-08-31T03:22:55Z")
As the topic of the title says, a friend of mine has gone missing (you can find details in my journal entry here: [http://www.livejournal.com/~missing/47251.html](http://www.livejournal.com/~missing/47251.html) )… I’m not sure if the family is even trying everything possible to find him. Or if the police are either, since he’s 23, a legal adult. What can I do as just a friend and not a family member? Any ideas?
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### Author:  [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2004, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-of-mine-has-gone-missing/262357/2 "2004-08-31T03:29:44Z")
My understanding is that _anyone_ can report another person missing, if they’ve reason to believe it’s truly so. You shouldn’t even have to wait the standard 24 hours. My guess is, though, that beyond that, you won’t be able to influence a police search, since you’re not family. You do have, at your disposal, the media and volunteer efforts. Get the word out as loud and as often as you can.