Have we made enough allowances for this underperforming, but medically challenged, employee?

Q: “We have an employee who has been prescribed medications for her back and to help her sleep. Over the last year we have had a few incidents where she periodically called in sick for three or four days, has fallen asleep on the job (at her desk), has slurred speech and her writing is not legible. Her work performance is truly suffering. She has admitted the prescriptions were too much for her, and she has seen a doctor to help her change the dosage. We have talked with her about this many times, and we have offered to help her in any way we can. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be getting better. We think she needs more help, but we also know we can’t make her get it. Six years ago we had a similar situation. She is a recovering alcoholic, and we know this is considered a disability. We want to do the right thing by her, but she needs to do her part. We are considering letting her go. “Can we do this without any repercussions? We have documented everything with notes to her file. She also has a couple of written warnings that state we could terminate if this were to happen again, and it has.” – Jodi, Massachusetts