Scenario: You are a member of a major metropolitan police department and assigned in a covert narcotics operations unit. Often, while working undercover, you are required to simulate the use of drugs without actually taking them. You have a partner who has always treated you well and taken care of you. On at least one occasion, he pulled you out of the line of fire of a drug dealer just before the offender shot at you. The two of you have been highly successful over the past 18 months. During the last 3 months, he has been seeing a woman who was an informant on another case. You believe that she has gotten him to use cocaine with her. His performance is falling off, and you are worried that he might be abusing cocaine and compromising his position in the police department.
Respond to the following in the discussion:
Why is it important to you that your partner is possibly using drugs?
Explain at least 2 courses of action you could take in response to this situation, and why.
What are the dangers to the unit, your other fellow unit members, and yourself if your partner is actually using cocaine?