sorry but yet another DQ question

[UCCJ]

I know these questions are asked all the time, but I am going to ask it again, sorry. I am 20 years old now, and currently working on a 4-year CJ degree. When I was 19 I was going through some very hard times with my family and such (not to make excuses), and was convinced by the people I lived with that marijuana would help me relax. I smoked more than what would be considered an "experimental" amount in a 2 month period. At that point, I realized that I was making the worst mistake of my life. I was relying on drugs to take care of my problems. The person I had become was not the real me by anymeans. This decision may have ruined my life, seeing as I have always been interested in a legal career. I was never arrested for any drug related offenses, in fact, I have a perfectly clean police record, driving record, and an excellent credit history (over 700). I will never go near marijuana again and have truly changed since then. I have found new ways of dealing with the stresses of living in an unstable home. Will this usage keep me from finding a position in a department in Ohio? Should I pursue the academy or should I change my major and find a new interest?

[phantasm]

It's something that you have to overcome, but you can overcome it. Look at the larger departments, and put some time between that and your career. Work somewhere else before you pursue law enforcement.

[Creeker]

You are 20 now and had a substance problem a whole...what? 6 months ...whole year ago? That's hardly long enough ago to say you've broken a habit.

I'm with Phant, get a job in which you will get some life experience, pay your bills, pay for insurance on a car, be responsible for your own life without using "life problems" as a crutch to not be responsible for. See how you feel about LE in about 5 years or so. You may find it was a passing fad brought on by overexposure to Law & Order or one of those horribly inaccurate Crime Scene shows.

[Legoate]

More than a couple uses is a permanent DQ in my dept....and I consider us to be a fairly large dept...about 850 officers.