Ask the Lawyer received the following paraphrased question from a reader on a legal matter that might be of interest to the entire audience. Q: How should a federal supervisor handle a situation where an employee has voluntarily confessed substance abuse to the supervisor? Should the supervisor send the employee to an employee assistance program (EAP), talk to human relations staff, or report the employee to security staff? A: Substance Abusing Subordinates A supervisor who suspects substance abuse, or who has an employee confess substance abuse, has a particular challenge.  First, the supervisor should be aware that current substance abuse,…