Topic: Previous drug use question 2002 - 2018 [Merged]

[signingup_tomake_onepost]

Hi All,

I am interested in joining the CF, have been for the better part of 5 years, and I think the near (0.5-2 years) future is the time for me to do it.

The Good:
I am a graduate of a 3 year Electrical Technology college program where I was class Rep, graduated with 3.5x/4.0 GPA. I have a full-time job in industrial automation where I travel all over NA comissioning automated equipment - including places like BMW, Tesla, Jeep, etc (i.e. HIGH standards) - which involves a TON of responsibility, accountability, teamwork, safe work, and awareness. I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity building homes, I have CPR/First Aid Lv. A, was in Air Cadets, earned a Black Belt when I was a teen, have amazing employment/personal references.

The bad:
I grew up in/went to HS in a city with nothing to do and a lot of socioeconomic problems.

In highschool, I took LSD 3 times (about 10 years ago now), mushrooms about 5 times, MDMA a dozen or more times, smoked pot daily for several years, smoked cigarettes, binge drank, didn't apply myself in to my studies...pretty much an anti-model applicant.

The ugly:
After highschool I decided to go to college (1st major change in my life really), though I kept smoking pot through most of it. I took mushrooms 2 winters ago, and the winter before that. I've taken cocaine once or twice since I graduated highschool. The last time was only this August, and I know it was a bad choice.

The redeemer?:
In the past 6 months, I have stopped drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes (and since have actively, conciously engaged in removing all vices from my life), started doing yoga and implemented a number of wholesome changes into my life, and recently quit drugs 100% (I smoked pot most weekends until recently, when I realized I had a physical addiction).

If not for my drug-addled past, I think I would pass any assessments with flying colours.

Is there any chance I would be accepted into the Canadian Forces with a history like mine, if I apply after 8 months to 1 year of being completely drug free and demonstrably different person than I had been?

Thanks.

[GermanWolf]

So, now that weed is legal, will this affect the recruiting process at all? Not that it would matter for me (haven't touched a joint in 3.5 years and don't plan on ever doing it again. What's done is done), but it would be interesting to see if the CAF will now distinguish between illegal use and legal use of recreational marijuana on the application process.

For example, I could see them add a question like: "How many times have you smoked weed before the 17th of October 2018," and then compare it to how much the applicant consumes now. Does anyone have any actual know about this? I think it would be interesting to see if this will change anything at all for new applicants.

[BeyondTheNow]

Hi All,

I am interested in joining the CF, have been for the better part of 5 years, and I think the near (0.5-2 years) future is the time for me to do it.

The Good:
I am a graduate of a 3 year Electrical Technology college program where I was class Rep, graduated with 3.5x/4.0 GPA. I have a full-time job in industrial automation where I travel all over NA comissioning automated equipment - including places like BMW, Tesla, Jeep, etc (i.e. HIGH standards) - which involves a TON of responsibility, accountability, teamwork, safe work, and awareness. I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity building homes, I have CPR/First Aid Lv. A, was in Air Cadets, earned a Black Belt when I was a teen, have amazing employment/personal references.

The bad:
I grew up in/went to HS in a city with nothing to do and a lot of socioeconomic problems.

In highschool, I took LSD 3 times (about 10 years ago now), mushrooms about 5 times, MDMA a dozen or more times, smoked pot daily for several years, smoked cigarettes, binge drank, didn't apply myself in to my studies...pretty much an anti-model applicant.

The ugly:
After highschool I decided to go to college (1st major change in my life really), though I kept smoking pot through most of it. I took mushrooms 2 winters ago, and the winter before that. I've taken cocaine once or twice since I graduated highschool. The last time was only this August, and I know it was a bad choice.

The redeemer?:
In the past 6 months, I have stopped drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes (and since have actively, conciously engaged in removing all vices from my life), started doing yoga and implemented a number of wholesome changes into my life, and recently quit drugs 100% (I smoked pot most weekends until recently, when I realized I had a physical addiction).

If not for my drug-addled past, I think I would pass any assessments with flying colours.

Is there any chance I would be accepted into the Canadian Forces with a history like mine, if I apply after 8 months to 1 year of being completely drug free and demonstrably different person than I had been?

Thanks.

Unfortunately, no one here can definitively answer your question(s) one way of the other. Only those evaluating your recruiting process have the full scope and authority to come to a final decision as to your suitability for the CAF. My advice to you is to go through the process and fill out the substance use portion honestly. If you haven't used illegal substances in quite some time and no longer demonstrate any dependency/addictive (or otherwise negative) patterns, then that bodes well for you. As well, most of us go through tumultuous periods in our lives where poor judgement is used. Many have also experienced less-than-ideal circumstances while growing up. What you do with those experiences and what you learn from them is what counts. Start the process (if you haven't already) and see how it unfolds.

Additionally, I encourage you to take advantage of the resources and knowledge provided throughout this site. You're welcomed to post and share where appropriate. We just ask that users first try their best to find any answers they're seeking on their own before posting in order to avoid repeated questions with the same content.

Best of luck.

[Buck_HRA]

The information being disseminated at the moment is that prior to 17 October 2018 the use of cannabis was illegal.

Whether you're asked about consumption prior or after that date is up to the MCC; some might ask - some might not.  It's like asking about someone's drinking consumption.  I remember when I joined I was asked how often I smoke and consume alcohol; someone who joined at the same time through another CFRC wasn't asked...

[Buck_HRA]

Thanks for the information and support.

I know i'm not the only one so hopefully without sounding snarky; I've searched through this thread and found a couple similar situations dating back several years, but consider these posts outdated.

For anyone else wondering the same, I've also contacted a couple different recruiters who have all said either it does not automatically disqualify me from the Canadian Forces (no specifics on Combat Arms), or that they cannot comment on medical requirements.

Just for your information - Recruiters cannot state whether you qualify or not when it comes to NPD (non prescription drugs) or medical issues.  That is outside their training and arcs of training. So stating that it doesn't disqualify you doesn't mean that you're good to go; it just means that they don't have the training to say yes or no.

Medical Issues:

During the application process, the recruiting medical personnel will asses your medical situation. A complete medical examination is necessary when assessing medical fitness for the Forces. At that time, the Forces will be able to determine if any existing medical conditions would preclude you from joining. This is also important when restrictions may limit the career choices being considered.

Drug Issues:

During the application process you will undergo a background/security check and an interview.  A complete vetting of your background is necessary when joining the military as it could affect the ability for your to receive a security clearance to do your job effectively.  Drug use can affect the possible outcome of a security clearance/background check, as such only the panel that reviews this information can render an answer to whether NPD usage will allow you to join the CAF or not.

[Darke]

I think this link might be helpful for some people on this thread.

http://forces.gc.ca/en/about-policies-standards-defence-admin-orders-directives-9000/9004-1.page

[Canadian_beast]

I’ve been hearing the army is stopping drug testing which I highly doubt have y’all heard anything on this?


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[Canadian_beast]

I’ve been hearing the army is stopping drug testing which I highly doubt have y’all heard anything on this?


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***stopped drug testing for marijuana*** to be specific


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[JesseWZ]

... Sigh ...

Who have you been hearing these rumours from?

What drug testing are you speaking about?

Are you speaking about blind testing, testing for cause, testing the quality of your dope?

Hard to answer your question without more information.

[Lumber]

Yea, we hardly ever tested before, so what exactly are we stopping? There's still cause to be tested for drug use, even marijuana drug use.

[Canadian_beast]

... Sigh ...

Who have you been hearing these rumours from?

What drug testing are you speaking about?

Are you speaking about blind testing, testing for cause, testing the quality of your dope?

Hard to answer your question without more information.

I understand I should’ve been more specific, I’ve heard from a couple of my friends (in the reserves) that “the military is stopping, piss tests for new recruits, because of marijuana being legal” I was assuming it would be for marijuana, and the test would determine how often you’ve used the substance. Just seems a little far fetch to me That they would just let pot smokers in. Hope this was better than my last reply.


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[dangerboy]

Just seems a little far fetch to me That they would just let pot smokers in.

Why would they not let marijuana users in? It is a legal substance, just like alcohol or tobacco.

[Canadian_beast]

Why would they not let marijuana users in? It is a legal substance, just like alcohol or tobacco.

Ya that makes sense, just seems kinda weird I guess sorry for the confusion


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[Lumber]

Ya that makes sense, just seems kinda weird I guess sorry for the confusion


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Also, they never piss tested for drugs during enrolment screening. So, the person feeding you this information is way off.

[BeyondTheNow]

Why would they not let marijuana users in? It is a legal substance, just like alcohol or tobacco.

Ya that makes sense, just seems kinda weird I guess sorry for the confusion

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And just like they do for alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, legal or not, they'll also question you on your frequency of usage as a gauge to show signs of dependency.

[Canadian_beast]

Also, they never piss tested for drugs during enrolment screening. So, the person feeding you this information is way off.

Ya I just did my aptitude test today and haven’t heard anything about a piss test and all the research I’ve done hasn’t said anything about a piss test, just came here to clarify.


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