Reference no: EM131939565

Ashton Malone is a second-year graduate student working in environmental science under your supervision. During the fall semester, Ashton takes a full course load, spins long hours in the lab and works as a teaching assistant for one of your undergraduate courses. After winter break, you notice a change in Ashton. Her grades begin to drop, she often appears distracted, and you rarely see her in the lab. One afternoon while you are analyzing air samples, Ashton arrives to some work. You notice she is not her usual cheerful self. She seems frenzied, almost manic racing around the lab. While working at your bench, you glance over and notice Ashton taking several pills from a bottle without a prescription label. Concerned she may be ill, you ask her how she is feeling. Ashton hastily tells you that she is not sick and the pills in the bottle are for a migraine. When you suggest she take the afternoon off to help relieve her headache, she becomes defensive, telling you she does not have time to go home and rest. You are not the only one who has noticed a change in Ashton. In fact, you have had several other graduate students tell you that they have seen Ashton taking pills from a bottle regularly, and many have commented on her mood swings. As Ashton's mentor, how would you handle this situation? What, if any, actions need to be taken?