Missing Gap In Jim's Case

Jim Bowlin is a friend of mine whom I have known since we have attended the pharmacy school together. Recently, Jim relocated to Phoenix from Midwest. Even though Jim is an experienced institutional pharmacist, he has been having a difficult time with finding a job in Phoenix. When he finally finds a promising position at the community pharmacy, he is faced with a setback. Dr. Brownlee, Jim’s future boss, inquires to clarify the unexplained missing gap in Jim’s employment history. Jim reaches out to me for an advice. He explains to me that before he had applied to the pharmacy school, there was a period of time in his life, when he was dealing with an amphetamine dependence. He completed a successful rehabilitation treatment and he has not relapse since then. Jim is concerned that, if he discloses his past drug addiction to Dr. Brownlee, he will lose the offered position. Therefore, Jim is contemplating telling a story about backpacking for a year to cover for the missing gap. …show more content…
He either reveals the truth about his substance dependence and rehabilitation treatment to Dr. Brownlee or he conceals the truth with the backpacking story. If I advise Jim to disclose the missing information, there is a possibility that Dr. Brownlee will not extend his employment offer. However, I would want to believe that Dr. Brownlee’s character is not prejudiced and that he would see past the incidence that took place almost a decade ago. The fact, that Jim during his struggle with the substance abuse had reached out for help, voluntarily completed the rehabilitation treatment, and successfully remained substance free since then, should speak values about Jim’s character. On the other hand, I see that this may cause Dr. Brownlee to be concerned about the public safety. In that case, I would advise Jim to be upfront and mention to Dr. Brownlee that he would be more than willing to do random periodic drug test to ensure no harm is done to