Expert: William Payne - 4/15/2006

Question
What say you?

i am beginning my career in law enforcement and i have a few more questions...


I'm sure each department is a little different, but what is the policy (in general) for officers that have a valid prescription for benzodiazepines?  (i.e. xanax/valium/diazepam/klonopin etc.)  [In case you don't know, these drugs are anti-anxiety/relaxant type medications, but i'm sure you know what they are.]

 I have a prescription for Xanax.  (I didn't ask for them, my family doctor told me to take them for situations with tension)  

I also have a prescription for Valium/diazepam for when i go to the dentist (because i hate the dentist and its about the only place in the world where i get really really nervous, especially if i know that i will have to sit very still thru a 2 or 3 hour procedure.)  I ALWAYS TAKE VALIUM BEFORE THE DENTIST.  I absolutely hate the dentist chair and the dentist prescribed them to relax me while the procedure(s) is/are completed.  He offered the laughing gas, but i don't relish the idea of inhaling anything other than oxygen.  Now, the xanax is a different story.  I take only about a quarter of a xanax EXTREMELY RARELY, for high pressure/high anxiety occasions, such as speaking before a large audience or performing before a large audience (i'm a quasi-professional trumpet player)  So,...I'm just asking you:

1... to opine about what you think i need to disclose on my application/personal history statement.  

2... Although this is legally prescribed medication, will the fact that i have a prescription for them make me less competitive?  

3... What is the general policy about officers taking these kinds of medications?

4... Are medications as I have described earlier ever prescribed by doctors to ease the stress on officers?...in other words...do sworn officers sometimes need medications to relax?

5... and lastly...any addition suggestions or advice is most sincerely appreciated.

Thank you guys.

Answer
Chris,

Let me start by saying that I am not a medical doctor and I do not know all of the effects these medications have or do not have.

1.Disclose everything on your application that you are asked. Lying on your application will definitely not get you hired.

2. Probably not. A lot of police officers have prescription medications, i.e., blood pressure, cancer, pms, migraines, minor aches & pains, and etc.

3. I would have a concern about your reaction time, your thought process, ability to operate a police vehicle, and etc. These kind of medications have the ability and do negate your ability to do some functions that are necessary to perform law enforcement work. Most departments require their officers to notify supervisors if they are given prescription medications because of these factors. Generally it is not safe to work (law enforcement)when you are currently ingesting these types of medications.

4. Yes, I am sure there are police officers all over the world that get some prescription medications for these types of complaints.

5. If your doctor says you "need" these prescriptions you are probably better off taking them. Although, I might would get a second opinion before I started taking medications of this type.

Your "problems" that you described do not sound very serious. You might be able to conquer some of these "problems" through counseling or other means. In crowded situations or speaking in front of a group, you might start out by speaking in front of your family members or friends and build up your courage. Practicing more and more will build up your self-esteem, and you will see improvement.

I hope I was able to answer your questions satisfactorily, Good luck!