If you have used illegal drugs or misused prescription pills, focus on assuring the interviewer that you are not currently using them. If you have an issue with drugs, it is best to become clean before applying for a position as a correction officer.

Avoid being dishonest with the interviewer if you have had a drug issue in the past. Depending on the organization and how in-depth they are in their background investigation, that information could surface and disqualify you from being offered the position. If you had a problem and are honest about it, the interviewer can decide if their organization can overlook this issue.

"No, I have never used illegal drugs or misused prescription pills. I was brought up in a strict law enforcement family and knew I wanted to work as a correction officer from a young age. Having this goal in mind kept me from ever wanting to try drugs."

"I have never used illegal drugs, but I did have a problem with pain pills for a short time. Five years ago, I broke my femur in a motorcycle accident and was prescribed oxycontin for the pain. I realized after two weeks that I was becoming dependent on them and did not like how they made me feel. I spoke with my doctor, and he changed my prescription to a lesser-strength pain pill. After two more weeks, I was weaned off the medication entirely and have never taken another prescription pill since. That experience taught me that I do not like taking any prescription medication and what happened in the past will not happen again in the future."

"When I was 15 years old, I tried marijuana one time. My family had recently moved, and I had to switch schools. I tried marijuana to fit in with the crowd, but after trying it once, I realized that was not how I wanted to fit in. I have never used any other illegal drug and have never misused prescription medication."