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Role Play Scenario 31


​On a pharmacy visit day from university, you catch another student, Brad, picking up a small box of benzodiazepines that the pharmacist has left on a countertop. You are the only two students present; the pharmacist has not noticed.
 
In this role play, you may speak to Brad.


​Excellent Student Approach
1.         Introduction
2.         Open Questions
3.         Develop Rapport
4.         Address the issues known
5.         Identify any additional issues
6.         Summary and plan going forward

1 - When you next get a break, ask Brad if you can quickly speak to him in private.
2 - Lead with a simple statement, like ‘I was wondering if I could discuss a couple of things with you, in particular what I observed at the pharmacy.’ This gives Brad a chance to explain himself, without you having to be accusatory.
3 - Be polite, but make it clear that you perceive this as a serious issue.
4 - Let your response be guided by what Brad initially says. You need to explain that you are worried that Brad was trying to steal, that he was doing so in a healthcare setting, and that you are worried about what he was stealing. Clearly, thievery is unacceptable, but the fact that he is taking benzodiazepines is also a concern - these are used recreationally, meaning he might be taking them for recreational use or to sell. You should explain this worry to him.
5 -  It is theoretically possible that he was picking up the box out of curiosity, perhaps wishing to discuss it with the pharmacist. However, there may also be the possibility that Brad may have taken other items that you may not have noticed either at the pharmacy or recently in other settings; it is important to address this general behaviour in addition to the acute concern.
6 - This is a difficult situation. The safest option is to ask Brad to return the box to the pharmacist, and explain why he took them. This ensures that the pharmacist is aware the box had been taken, that they get the box back, and that they can take a decision on whether to trust Brad’s explanation or not. If Brad refuses to give the box back, you must tell the pharmacist yourself.
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