[pmangels17]

Regardless of when in the year drug/alcohol abuse occur, the user's socioeconomic status, the type of school, or their membership on the team and our roles alongside them (students, mentors, teachers, etc), and frankly regardless of what the law is or should be, we as teammates need to ensure that fellow members of our team are acting responsibly and taking care of themselves, driven not by an obligation or legal requirement, but out of the compassion we all share for each other.

While many people subscribe to the idea that whatever people do on their own time is their own business, I cannot support that sentiment. Recently, I endured a great personal loss at the hands of substance abuse, and anybody else who has had a similar experience realizes that the ramifications of one's actions inevitably affect more than the individual. No matter who the person is on our team, whether it be a mentor or student, We as team members have a responsibility to ensure the safety of every member of our team. Sometimes this may be difficult, and I know that this is a bit of a derailment from the question of "What do I do?" to "Should I do something?" but the answer to the latter is yes, you should do something.

Figuring what to do is a bit trickier, as team dynamics vary and depend on who is addressing whom, but regardless, there are some key points that should always be included. The first is to approach the individual openly, and make it clear that you are addressing them because you are concerned for them, not because you are concerned that they are breaking a rule or law. Second, be compassionate and willing to listen, always trying to further your understanding of the situation. Finally, you are not alone. The individual undoubtedly has other friends or family, as do you, who likely share your concern. Talking together about the issue and deciding as a group how to approach a very subjective problem is always a good course of action. Most importantly, you have to do something, because if you don't, the consequences can be among the most horrible that there are.

Disclaimer: I have not had any sort of experience like this on my team. I speak from other areas of my life separate from robotics on this topic. I neither condone nor partake in the consumption of illegal drugs.