Karen and Madeline Are Both Workers for a Rural Social

Karen and Madeline are both workers for a rural social services agency. They also have been personal friends for a long time. At work both are pressured by lack of resources, multigeneration family farm closures, and clients' oppressive poverty. Karen notices that Madeline often sucks on intensively minty breath lozenges. They almost smell like alcohol. Karen also notices that on several occasions, Madeline slurred her words when first coming to work. Finally, on three occasions, Karen stops in on Madeline and finds her quickly shoving something into her desk drawer. All three times Karen thinks she smells alcohol. Karen has often prided herself on an exceptional sense of smell (for better or for worse).  Karen also thinks it odd that Madeline's office door is frequently closed these days. Karen wonders if Madeline could possibly have an alcohol problem. She knows Madeline is a social drinker. On the one hand, Karen worries how a confrontation might affect their personal relationship which she really values.  On the other, Karen worries about how alcohol might be influencing Madeline's practice and harming her clients. Karen decides that, difficult as it will be, she must confront Madeline about her possible drinking. This is the ethical thing to do.