Expert: Dick Rogers - 4/30/2009

Question
In 2004 I chewed on a few coca leaves.  I did not know it was illegal but now realize that it was.  It was just the once.  No other drugs whatsoever.  Do you think this isolated incident would disqualify me with the DEA?  Would a local or state PD disqualify based on this isolated incident?  Any help or advice would be surely appreciated! :)

Answer
Adam, the crux of the matter lies in convincing interviewers that whatever your experience with drugs...it was simply a single incident...never repeated.  There are many who experimented with pot and other drugs who recognized early on that they wanted no part of the drug dynamic.  The interviewers are interested in your particular reaction to the drug experience.  I would practice your response before friends...family who can give you a thumbs up that your response was wholesome and believable.  The crazy thing about the drug problem is that it seems to conjure up devils yet when I was goofing around as a teenager, I got drunk and number of times, yet I didn't have to convince my oral board that I would never have another drink.  A bit of hypocrisy there.