Drop down list returns first value despite on is not post back()

Hi,
I have a problem that despite the loading of drop down list has been loaded on a not ispostback, i can't seem to get the selected value, it always returns the first value
Code is:
Protected Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load If Not IsPostBack Then loaddropdownusers() End If End Sub Private Sub loaddropdownusers() Dim userds, ds As New DataSet Dim department_id As String = "" userds = db.getAccounts(lbl_user_id.Text) If Not userds Is Nothing Then If Not userds.Tables(0).Rows.Count = 0 Then department_id = userds.Tables(0).Rows(0)("department_id") End If End If ds = db.getAccountsDepartment(department_id) If Not ds Is Nothing Then If Not ds.Tables(0).Rows.Count = 0 Then Dim i As Integer = 0 Dim first_name As String = "" Dim last_name As String = "" Dim user_id As String = "" ...