I agree with Mr2001. I think it is the drug laws of this country that are immoral, and under no circumstances would I turn someone in for using or selling drugs to consenting adults. (I suppose I would think harder about someone selling to children.) With mandatory minimum sentences you could be condeming him to more than 12 years in prison.
I would do whatever you (ethically) can to get him removed from the job, as others have recommended.
Don’t mix the issues.
If he goes to jail (and let’s get real: a quick investigation of the stats for TN shows that he won’t serve anywhere near 12 years, unless he’s a repeat offender), it won’t be for being a jackass. It’ll be for doing something a jury of his peers gave him 12 years for, after hearing far more evidence than you have. (Or else, for a case whose facts so offend the judge that s/he imposes the max, and which his lawyer didn’t want to risk placing before a jury.)
A lot of people cruise along, doing nasty things, no one really the wiser, when in hindsight they should have been stopped long before . Many misdemeanor possessions mature into third strike felonies, but at least as many end up making someone straighten out. We all make mistakes, but a lot of people refuse to learn from them. As others have said, if you think you have the RIGHT to decide by yourself on limited data, fine - but YOU are taking the responsibility then.
I’ve seen too many lives -offender and victim- wrecked by the schoolboy code . If you don’t believe in a law, no problem; if you do, fine. Either way: behave accordingly.
Forget that he is a jackass. That should play no role in your decision. If you are a laissez-faire type, ask yourself if it is a serious philosophical commitment or a cop-out. Would you feel hesitant if he was a jackass and child molester? A priest who’d revitalized the parish and a murderer? Should a “leading citizen” in your town be immune from littering or speeding tickets. What’s the moral dilemma here? Getting involved?
It isn’t easy. I understand that. I, personally, am grateful that I’m ethically precluded from reporting most of the users I meet. Then again, I’m professionally obligated to help them, whether I feel like it or not. I made my choice. It suits me. I hope you make a choice that you’re as happy with. Just don’t choose "doing nothing because it’s easier. That’s the most tempting and amoral choice.
General Questions is for questions with factual answers. Great Debates is our forum for debates. IMHO is for opinions and polls.
There is no General Question here, so I’m closing this thread. You may reopen the thread in GD or IMHO.
DrMatrix - GQ Moderator