What is the line on past drug use?

[Gayle]

I had my first Oral Exam yesterday. I felt pretty good about my answers and demeanor. However, I am extremely interested in any feedback from seasoned officers about the ramifications of my past drug use.

Growing up, I was not a clean teen , shall we say. I used just about every substance out there until age 29. At that time (1986), I got into AA and had the gift of sobriety for the next 11 years. Then I started bodybuilding and got into a substance that was supposed to help with my training, GHB. At the time, it was sold legally in health food stores. I used that for about 3 years and became addicted. I knew that the GHB was not good for me, I knew that it was being looked into by the government and I knew that it was bad for me, yet I continued to take it . I checked my self into treatment in April and have been clean and sober again for a little over 7 months. I explained to them that the GHB was simply supposed to help my training and that in treatment, I learned that the drug was affecting the same dopamine receptors as alcohol which explained why I fell prey to it. I did not hold back anything, I simply told the complete truth. OUCH!

I am a female, age 45 with a background as a law librarian and legal technology consultant. My work record is impeccable, I have every quality the force is looking for, yet I do have this terrible background.

Do I have a snowballs chance in hell of making it through this? I have wanted to get into Law Enforcement since 1986, yet have always been afraid to follow my dream. Thoughts?

[JimCMR]

Gayle:

Talk about trying the near impossible, I think you are.  Most departments would not look kindly on someone who has been clean for 7 months, less than 3 years is usually a hard sell.  Here in Illinois 35 or 36 is about the top age for a new recruit, I don't know what Washington State has for an age limit, but you must be within the limits.  Being a body builder, you would probably not have a tough time with the training academy.  When I was 45 I was looking forward to 5 more years until retirement, I sure would not have wanted to start a training academy.

The best I can suggest is to wait and see what the Board says, if you get turned down, I would not bother fighting it, if you have a good job in the law field, stay there.  I went to paralegal school after I retired, and found that work much more satisfying.

I was in the Fire service, but was a part time cop, and arson investigator, so have some blue blood, as well as red.

I served 3 years as a Police Commissioner in my home town, that is the group that does the hiring and promotions.  From my experience there, I can tell you, your background will most likely be against you being hired.  But Washington is a long way from Illinois, and things may be different there.

Good luck to you.              JimCMR

[junior]

gayle,

i don't mean to sound negative, but sounds as if the cards are stacked against you .  when you applied did you check into this particular depts policy on past usage?  i know that it varies, but i have heard some drugs are automatic dq'ers.  
i would like to say congrats on being sober ;D.  good luck.

junior  8)

[Charlie]

Gayle--Unfortunately, I must generally agree with Jim and Junior's assessment of you situation.  

One thing you've got to keep in mind is departmental standards & policies generally differ when it comes to a prospective applicant's past drug usage. Some departments are very strict concerning this issue and take a zero tolerance approach. On the other hand, there are a lot of departments out there who consider the reality that a lot of potentially excellent applicants have "experimented" in the past with drugs. They can be forgiving about this issue. But I think the critical factors most departments look at are:

* Type of drug previously used.
* Frequency of past use.
* Time since the drug was last used.

You mention that you have used a variety of drugs in the past. That could be a serious problem for you because, depending on the department, if an applicant has used SOME types of drugs (even once), there is the possibility the applicant could be permenently barred from applying again. But again,it depends upon the departmentand whatever their policies may be about this issue.

I think it is wonderful that you've got yourself together and got the assistance you obviously needed for the substance abuse problems you've had. It also takes a lot of guts to admit to the problems you've had as well. You have my admiration.  ;D

Nevertheless, realisitically, I think you would definitely have an uphill battle getting yourself hired on somewhere as an officer.   The odds would definitely be against you. As Jim commented, it sounds like to me you are pretty successful in the field you are already in.

I hope you'll honestly access your situation and be realisitic about it. No matter what happens, I am glad to hear you've turned yourself around. Best of Luck. 8)

Charlie