My name is Thanh and I am a Special Agent with DEA, assigned to the Dallas Field Division.

That's me on the left in the picture. The special suit and the mask I am wearing are to protect me from dangerous chemicals that are hidden in the back of the vehicle that you see. These chemicals are used to make the dangerous drug, methamphetamine. The people that make illegal drugs breathe these dangerous fumes and become really sick. As an agent, we get specialized training to know how to recognize and carefully handle dangerous chemicals that are used to make drugs.

As you can see by my name, I'm Asian American. I wasn't born in the United States , but I feel very fortunate to be an American. Working for the DEA is a rewarding job. As a special agent, it is important to make sure dangerous people who sell illegal drugs are arrested. I have traveled quite a bit to do my job. I have visited Singapore, Laos, Thailand, Haiti, Suriname, and the Dominican Republic. It is a great opportunity to work in many places around the world.

Prior to becoming an agent, I was a police officer, something I always wanted to be since I was in high school. I wanted to help people and put really bad guys in jail. Becoming a DEA Special Agent was by chance, and I have to thank my friend, Paul, for it. One day, Paul took me with him to the Federal Building to find out more about being in Federal law enforcement. We talked to several agencies, but were impressed the most with the DEA. The DEA agents were really friendly. And best of all, they wore blue wear jeans to work.

So here I am, getting to wear blue jeans to work every day. What can be more fun than that?! It is hard work, but it is worth putting drug dealers in jail. Drugs affect even good people and I know that what I'm doing makes a difference in the communities.

I have family and good friends to thank for helping me to achieve my goals of becoming a DEA agent. So remember, you can achieve any goals when you set your mind to it and work hard for it. Good luck in your future, and keep studying hard.