Breaking the law

[varkam]

I'm having an issue and I was wondering if I could get everyone's input on it. I'm out an outreach list -- a list that basically people who can't make it to face-to-face meetings can request so that they can have an "e-Sponsor" -- someone to e-mail back and forth and help them with the steps, etc.

I got an e-mail from someone in another country today looking for someone to talk to. They said that their relapse behavior involves a violation of the law. They'll get no judgment from me, and I want to help them in any way I can. I know that I'm not under any sort of affirmative duty to disclose anything, but it is, of course, up to me as to whether I want to contact authorities where this individual resides with the information provided to me.

I don't want to do that -- I want to honor his confidence and try to help him in any way I can. At the same time, I'm also mindful that there's a thin line separating sponsorship from enabling, and I do not want to enable this fellow's behavior. Ideally, I'd like to be able to get him to the point where, as part of his amends process, he would at least consider the idea of facing the consequences for his criminal behavior.

I guess what I'm looking for is some input from people that are more experienced with this sort of thing than I am. I want to help him, and I'm not going to judge him -- whatever the behavior is -- but at the same time I really don't want to enable it or be a party to it.

Any input is welcomed and appreciated. :hi:

[NMDemDist2]

1. vark, bless you for trying to be of service

for most addicts, relapse involves breaking the law, since drugs are illegal

making amends in this case involves a 'living amends' IMHO. in other words, ending the behavior is enough, no need to 'do the time'

however, if underage children are involved then that's another story........