Summary
A 25-year-old employee of a Department of Defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to extensive drug involvement and substance misuse, falling under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant admitted to a history of using and purchasing various illegal substances, including marijuana from January 2015 to March 2021, cocaine from January 2018 to February 2024, and hallucinogens from December 2017 to July 2018. The applicant also sold THC from September 2017 to February 2018.
Further allegations included the misuse and purchase of prescription stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin) from October 2017 to February 2024, and prescription opioids (OxyContin, Percocet) from June 2018 to February 2022. The applicant also used and purchased Molly in August 2023 and misused Codeine from May to August 2018.
Despite the applicant's admission and stated intent to abstain from illegal drug use, the clearance was denied. The judge determined that insufficient time had passed since the applicant's last drug use, which occurred approximately a year and a half before the hearing. Concerns were also raised because drug use continued even after the applicant was employed by a DoD contractor with a drug-free workplace policy, impacting trustworthiness and compliance with laws.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had an extensive history of illegal drug use, including marijuana, cocaine, and prescription drugs.
- The last use of illegal drugs occurred only a year and a half prior to the hearing, raising concerns about future compliance with laws.
- The applicant's drug use continued even after being employed by a DoD contractor with a drug-free workplace policy.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedSubstance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)raisedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
- AG ¶ 26(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Drug InvolvementThe applicant acknowledged his drug use and provided a signed Statement of Intent to abstain from future illegal drug use.
Key Rule Quoted
“The illegal use of controlled substances, to include the misuse of prescription and non-prescription drugs, and the use of other substances that cause physical or mental impairment or are used in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose can raise questions about an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 18, 2024
- Answer filedNov 13, 2024
- Hearing heldJun 3, 2025
- Decision dateJul 25, 2025
Cite For
- Extensive Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
- Insufficient Time Elapsed Since Last Drug Use to Mitigate Concerns
- Importance of Compliance with Laws in Security Clearance Determinations