My younger brother, who is now 40, began drinking heavily and using drugs in high school and was in a car accident that left him with brain damage. The last 25 years have been a cycle of rehab, jail, institutionalization and halfway houses, and he is now in such bad shape that he needs a guardian. My parents, who have health problems of their own, have asked me to take this on. I have no relationship with my brother. I am a single mother with a demanding job, and I live about a seven-hour drive away. I do not want my brother near my house or my daughter. Do I need to take on the responsibility of his guardianship?
From the NY Times, the Ethicist.
Answer in the comments section.
The Ethicist's answer is here.
I will comment later...
