HELP! Charlotte FD-Disqulification selling drugs

[antsmarching]

I need some advice here from people that have been in the same situation as me! On Charlotte's website it states that a disqualfier from the application process is selling drugs. Well I sold marijuana a few times to friends in college (over 5 years ago, my freshman year in the dorms) and never got caught. Is that something that will automatically disqualify me or are they looking for serious sellers? I mean I hardly consider it selling because it wasn't to more than my friends for a period of no more than a month (a sale a week maybe).

Is there anyone that has experienced this problem? I'd hate to put that I didn't sell and then fail my polygraph (if i made it that far) for putting a false answer in my application. Someone PLEASE help me!!

[Firefighter2230]

how is giving someone marijuana and taking money not selling it?

[scrapper]

I need some advice here from people that have been in the same situation as me! On Charlotte's website it states that a disqualfier from the application process is selling drugs. Well I sold marijuana a few times to friends in college (over 5 years ago, my freshman year in the dorms) and never got caught. Is that something that will automatically disqualify me or are they looking for serious sellers? I mean I hardly consider it selling because it wasn't to more than my friends for a period of no more than a month (a sale a week maybe).

Is there anyone that has experienced this problem? I'd hate to put that I didn't sell and then fail my polygraph (if i made it that far) for putting a false answer in my application. Someone PLEASE help me!!

IMHO you're only option is to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. You either sold or you didn't. I don't have experience with polygraphs but I'm guessing it'll catch that. As far as Charlotte considering your situation, my advice is to just apply and go through the process as far as you can telling the truth the whole time. If they ask you on the app. about sales then say yes. If they DQ you then so be it. Maybe they won't ask. I certainly wouldn't volunteer the info if they don't ask but IMO you have to tell the truth if they do.

[antsmarching]

well i plan on applying either way and being honest about it and just hope for the best. there HAS to be someone out there that has experienced the same situation and i want to know what their experiences were. i don't need smart a$$es being judgemental or making comments. just advice. i've had a clean record regarding everything (moving violations, citations, anything) since early 2003 so i just want to get another take on this

[SPFDRum]

Well I sold marijuana a few times to friends in college (over 5 years ago, my freshman year in the dorms) and never got caught.
Does not getting caught make it legal?
And what has changed in your character that would prevent that type of behavior from surfacing again?
Only you can answer those questions. Do a search for Chief Lepore and contact him; Chief Lepore's site (http://www.aspiringfirefighters.com/index.html). I have had the opportunity to read his books and they are very well written and can help.
Another resource is Capt. Bob, he is good about sharing advice here and getting these things ironed out; Capt. Bob's site. (http://www.eatstress.com/) Unfortunately, I have not read any of his material.

[antsmarching]

Thanks scrapper and SPFDRum I appreciate the help. I am still looking for someone that has been through this experience however to give me some insight. There HAS to be someone else out there that has gone through what I am looking to go through. Not everyone has a perfect past, much like myself. But for the past 5 years I've been a straight shooter. I just want to know if I am wasting my time if they have declared it as grounds for removal of your application and I list it on my application. I still plan on applying either way, I just don't want to get my hopes up if I don't have much, if any, of a shot in Charlotte. Thanks!

[antsmarching]

[QUOTE=SPFDRum;847921]Does not getting caught make it legal?
And what has changed in your character that would prevent that type of behavior from surfacing again?

Thanks for the advice. There HAS to be someone out there that has gone through this before. I'm looking to get their advice to see whether I have any shot or if I will be wasting my time. I haven't done anything illegal or wrong in over 5 years now, does that help?? Either way I will apply and hope for the best, hopefully I will be able to explain the occurences.

[Firemedic515]

1. If Charlotte hasn't called you for a polygraph yet, then you probably were not picked to move on in their process. From what I understand, they've already made contact with everyone taking the polygraph.

2. This is something that you'll have to be honest about. A lot of departments will automatically disqualify you and a lot of departments won't. You won't beat the polygraph though. Also, do your homework and be prepared to answer a lot of questions when you are confronted about these incidents. Good Luck

[antsmarching]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I understand that some will overlook things so long as it's not an issue anymore and some won't I'm just trying to get a better idea specifically that if they state that it's grounds for removal, is that a SET IN STONE sort of thing or do they sometimes consider a case by case basis??? There HAS to be somebody out there that's either been in my situation or is in my situation. I can't imagine that I'm the only one that's ever faced this situation before. I just want to know what i'm up against before sending applications in the next few months.

[twoone]

Why are you just doing the application now. Wasn't that months ago?

[BCLepore]

You wrote:
"I mean I hardly consider it selling because it wasn't to more than my friends for a period of no more than a month (a sale a week maybe)."

You're kidding right???

[SkylinePCG]

You can ignore most of these crap responses on here. Id bet 10-1, none of these guys can say they made it to 21 without a beer in their hands at some point.

Pot gets a bad rap because its too easy to grow at a decent product at home (ever taste bathtub gin??), preventing your tax-addicted federal government from getting their cut.

Youd be hard pressed to find anyone with both common sense and a straight face to convincingly argue that marijuana is anywhere near as dangerous as alcohol. I dare anyone who reads this to find an OD story regarding the stuff. But Ill save you the time. There arent any.

The worst effect it has is reducing someone to their priorities. That meaning that youll become so lazy the only things youll spend your time doing is taking bong hits and whatever is really important to them now.

Sure beats the sh1t out of death secondary to respiratory depression, Mr. Century Club!

When it comes time that you are faced with the polygraph, dont answer the questions you hear, change them in your head before you answer out loud. Three things you should consider:

-Hooking up your friends doesnt make you a drug dealer.
-Every two years or so, even the longest lasting cells in your body are recycles, meaning that YOU, as a physical entity, are 100% different than the physcial entity that existed a few years ago. So looking at it that way, "you" have never sold anything.
-Remember the words of George Costanza, "Its not a lie, if you believe it."

Good luck, and dont bow down to this self-righteous BS. Everybody's got skeletons in their closet (And I wouldnt want to meet any biodome pussy that doesnt-means you havent spent five minutes in the real world, living). Some just have more than others.

Yeah, bottom line is, you F-ed up in the past. But you dont need to bear that cross for the rest of your life. Recognize your mistakes, make a conscious effort to not f-up again, and move on.

And apply somewhere else too, since it sounds like you already missed the boat with Charlotte.

[ElectricHoser]

Oh man.... :rolleyes:

You can ignore most of these crap responses on here. Id bet 10-1, none of these guys can say they made it to 21 without a beer in their hands at some point.

Count me in, first beer was around 14 or 15, not my smartest move. However, the question was not "did you have a beer before turning 21", it was "have you ever sold drugs". By the way, a "crap response" probably includes rationalizing something by way of an irrelevant statement, not unlike your opening paragraph.

Pot gets a bad rap because its too easy to grow at a decent product at home (ever taste bathtub gin??), preventing your tax-addicted federal government from getting their cut.

Yeah, that's exactly my thinking when I interview candidates. You get a pass for selling pot because let's face it, we're all in it together against The Man trying to take his cut :rolleyes: . Wait a second... if the government wanted this lost taxable income, how about stopping the expensive enforcement and legalize it? Logic take a holiday?

Youd be hard pressed to find anyone with both common sense and a straight face to convincingly argue that marijuana is anywhere near as dangerous as alcohol. I dare anyone who reads this to find an OD story regarding the stuff. But Ill save you the time. There arent any.

The worst effect it has is reducing someone to their priorities. That meaning that youll become so lazy the only things youll spend your time doing is taking bong hits and whatever is really important to them now.

Once again you have redirected the issue to an area of no relevance. It isn't about the "dangers" of pot in and of itself or compared to any other substance, nor about overdoses or lack thereof. It is about a candidate's past history abiding by the law.

When it comes time that you are faced with the polygraph, dont answer the questions you hear, change them in your head before you answer out loud. Three things you should consider:

-Hooking up your friends doesnt make you a drug dealer.

The question, once again (lay off the bong and pay attention, please!) is not about how much was sold or to whom, nor does it attempt to define a "drug dealer". Here is the text straight off the department web site (http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Fire/Recruitment/Recruitment+Information.htm):

Disqualifiers include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Admission and/or conviction of a felony offense
- Admission and/or conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
- Illegal drug use within 12 months of the test date
- Sale of drugs
- Certain drug use and/or patterns of drug use
- Anything other than an honorable discharge from the military
- Pattern of theft

"Hooking up your friends doesnt make you a drug dealer.", maybe not, but having any involvement in the Sale of drugs (and we all know they mean the illegal variety) is clearly a disqualifier.

-Every two years or so, even the longest lasting cells in your body are recycles, meaning that YOU, as a physical entity, are 100% different than the physcial entity that existed a few years ago. So looking at it that way, "you" have never sold anything.

This is excellent logic to empty our prisons of all those jailed more than five years ago. Those rapists and murderers are new men!! W-T-F-ever :rolleyes:

-Remember the words of George Costanza, "Its not a lie, if you believe it."

George Costanza - a role model for all firefighters. Yeah. Word. When your parents, spouse, children get injured in a wreck (caused by a driver high on pot) or caught in a fire (started by their illegal growing operation) I am sure you'll be hoping - pleading - that the medics and jakes responding were trained by George Costanza. The world would sleep better if we all were.

antsmarching, following advice from guys like SkylinePCG will quickly end whatever slim hopes you have remaining, as it will establish a reputation and record of deception and retro-rationalization, traits that are not compatible with the firehouse. Even if you get past the system his way, you'll have to live with your deceptive actions for the rest of your life.

I don't know that I have any new advice to offer you other than what has already been provided by earlier responses, but I am a huge proponent of accountability and honesty, it will always get you farther and you'll always have your integrity.

It is quite possible that you have traded your future in the fire service for providing some friends with weed. Accountability and prudent judgment are necessary in the fire service, and you may well end up being a poster child to other hopeful young guys of what not to do. Decisions have consequences.

To everyone else out there reading this thread, especially the young hopefuls, I say it again and again: Make choices today that you can live with tomorrow.

[frosty11869]

Be honest about it. I have a friend who works for the city, as well as a friend who recieved his call for the polygraph. I was told by them that if you haven't recieved a letter stating that you are eliminated, then you are still in the process. As far as your career being ruined because of your past, I'm telling you now, I know plenty of guys who have sold or done drugs when they were younger, who are on the job now. Now days, you have to be concerned with the things you do, but alot of departments take into consideration how long ago you did it and how serious the offense was. Sure there will be departments that do not give you a chance, but there are lots of places to go. Don't give up the dream and keep yourself out of trouble. As far as Charlotte goes, until you get a letter stating otherwise, you're still in the process. Good luck!!

[Fixxer]

Did you smoke the pot with your friends or just sell it to them? If you just sold it to them, then it will fit the definition of "sale of drugs." If you decided to partake in the product with them, then they were sharing the cost of the product. While the activity is still illegal, it does not constitute "sale."

[SkylinePCG]

'Hozer, Do me a big fat favor next time you pull that; gimme a minute to blow up my water wings before you cry me a river...

Wanna know what some other incompatible traits are in the kitchen? Not having a sense of humor, inability to think for yourself, taking everything you hear 100% literally...

Completely off subject, but I love how you suggest 'The Man,' aka, our federal govt. operates with anything approaching logic. Show me a politician who can even spell 'moral responsibility' and Ill hope you left a trail of rocks to come back from fantasyland.

Assuming laws are on the books because people in power put them there, and its justified and correct because, well gosh, we elected them because theyre upstanding and well versed and informed blahblahblah... you would have to be OUT OF YOUR MIND.

I dont care enough to look, but does Charlotte's website even define what a 'drug' is? Would you like to give it a go? Because my list is pretty big. It includes sh1t like catnip and coffee.

Youre shangri-la may include having a house full of pushovers, ready to lay down anytime you hop on a soapbox and do a little chest pounding and finger wagging, and you may even get some younger guys to buy into the garbage.

The fact of the matter is, this guy knowing he made a mistake and steering clear of the stuff since is pennance enough. Just because someone showed you 'Reefer Madness' when you were 10 years old, leaving an indelible effect on you, resonating through now, shouldnt translate into the equivalent of tossing his hopes and dreams into a burning dumpster. Instead, let it be because hes a fat slob, one-way scumbag, retard.

Not saying that you are ANTS, but if youre not going to make it, let it be for one of those reasons instead. And dont lie. Lying is bad no matter what.

[CALFFBOU]

I am not an expert in this area. But like most will tell you, dont bring it up unless they do.

Also, a Background Investigator/Law Enforcement Officer once gave me a bit of advice PRIOR to my interview- "Keep your answers short and sweet. Dont volunteer anything unless I/we ask you."

So keep this in mind, if brought up, keep it short, sweet and be very quick about it.

I wish we could swept it under the "it happened so long ago, it doesnt matter" carpet, but I dont think you could pull that one off here.


Hey- America looked the other way after the President got a hummer in the White House. Maybe the Chiefs will cut you a break for being honest about an incident over 10 years ago.

[ElectricHoser]

PCG, I am not moved by your accusations or justifications. I think your rationalizations for misbehavior are a weakness. However, I am sure we mutually do not care what we think of each other, because we didn't ask each other to dance anyway. I am glad we do not work together because I am all about accountability and detest people who make excuses.

I sincerely hope for the best for antsmarching. I think he has a chance, and I think his best chances are to go with honesty, not deception through rationalization.

[antsmarching]

I obviously won't bring it up unless it's brought up. On the application I am sure they will ask. Should I give a brief explanation of what happened and why I've changed then on the application even if they don't have a space for it??

[AZFF25]

1. You BOUGHT the marijuana from someone. - that is buying an illegal drug.

2. You SOLD the marijuana to someone - that is selling an illegal drug.

You stated that you did not want smart a$$ answer's, but ask and you shall receive.



AZFF

[antsmarching]

You don't say AZFF?????????????? For all the rest of you that don't follow my courteous requests to only have helpful advice, I'm not an idiot. I KNOW I bought and sold illegal drugs and that I shouldn't have. I'm not a slow learner. People learn through their mistakes and I've learned mine, YEARS AGO.

When I said I don't view it as selling drugs what I merely meant was that I don't think it is a serious offense that should disqualify a potential candidate with a clean past 5 or 6 years. Now if I had bought and sold cocaine or another narcotic I wouldn't be asking these questions because clearly that is a more serious offense. Keep your idiotic responses to yourselves and unless you have something constructive to say I really would rather not waste my time by thinking I have something valid to read that may help but instead clicking on the post to read crap. Thanks!