How many people honestly care about speeding when driving? And honestly you could not name me one person who has never sped in their life or broken some kind of law in their life. EVERYONE has broken at least one law at some point in their lives whether intentional or unintentional.
State Troopers, Sheriffs, Highway Patrols, etc. They all care. In fact, they're employed because of our faulty human condition you describe. Have you ever been going down the highway at 5+ MPH over the limit and pass a trooper, who then pulls out behind you? That sinking feeling you get as you know for sure he's after you? (Yep, raising my hand too). Well, as a Nuclear Professional, if you get that feeling at work than you have crossed the line and your job is in jeopardy. And since the supervisor:worker ratio is not 1:1, the nuclear industry expects a tremendous amount of professional maturity, self-control, and self-discipline. If you make a mistake (e.g., bump a circuit breaker open) you are expected to immediately "confess". Given that tidbit of information, can you understand why people here get excited when you get on your soap box and talk about "breaking rules in society?" We're not in the mainstream society in this business, we're operating a very unforgiving technology. Go Google TMI and Chernobyl.
Here's another important perspective: What happens if I get pulled over after leaving my utility driving 15+ MPH over the speed limit while recklessly passing other drivers? What is the Trooper going to think about me as he walks up and sees me wearing my utility's name on my jacket, a security badge, a TLD with those big cooling towers looming in the distance behind me? Why should that person of the general public have any confidence in my ability to follow rules...not just traffic rules, but the really important ones that the people in a 10 mile radius around a nuclear plant worry about?
The issue with this thread (et al), in THIS nuclear community is risk management and especially managing human errors. It's hard to enough to ensure someone follows procedures correctly, fixes nuclear safety system pumps correctly, etc, so there is zero tolerance for substance abuse. At my utility, if you get caught with alcohol, drugs, etc you are escorted off site. There is no "oh...wait, wait, I'll confess, I'll go to rehab now that I'm caught". That's the interesting part of MANY of these threads here as people try to "sea-lawyer" the rules: it's the job of a senior manager to control the margin to various risk-taking endeavors...including hiring, granting waivers for security clearances, and terminating problem employees. Also, assume a manager DOES decide to fight for a drunk operator to the NRC. What confidence would the NRC have in that organization's judgement? Don't ever put your boss in that position to have to put his/her professional credibility on the line to fight for your stupid mistakes!
So, if we were in a college ethics class, or college philosophy class, then perhaps the "pros and cons of legalizing drugs" would be an interesting debate. I don't think it's appropriate here...and it's disconcerning to many veterans to hear someone say "I'd like some advice to get into this industry" in one thread, but then debate the merits of marijuana in another. It doesn't sound like you're very serious.
I just hope you that you and the hundreds of other lurkers in your shoes have a better understanding of what you're up against in this very unforgiving industry as the OP to this thread came here whining about. Please understand, you don't account to us in this forum for anything. However, someday you will account to people like us in your nuclear job.
Meanwhile, your forum karma will likely affect the quality of advice you receive here. Again, you don't account to me or anyone else here. However, if we were on a reality TV show, I think you'd be voted off and going home to WalMart this week.