Summary
A 29-year-old Department of Defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The Statement of Reasons detailed several allegations, including marijuana use four or five times between 2006 and 2009, and once in February 2014. Additionally, in August 2014, the applicant stole and consumed two or three hydrocodone pills, followed by the theft and consumption of two or three oxycodone pills in December 2014. These incidents constituted abuse of prescription drugs while holding a security clearance.
Disqualifying conditions cited included drug involvement and personal conduct issues such as deliberate concealment or falsification. While the judge acknowledged mitigating conditions related to the applicant's drug involvement, these were not deemed sufficient to overcome the security concerns.
The denial was based on the applicant's recent and serious drug involvement, which included marijuana use and prescription drug abuse while cleared. The judge concluded that this conduct undermined the applicant's reliability and trustworthiness, and that insufficient evidence of a sustained pattern of abstinence from drug use was provided.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant used marijuana and abused prescription drugs while holding a security clearance.
- The applicant's drug involvement was recent and serious, undermining his reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of a pattern of abstinence from drug use.
Conditions Referenced
- H.25.araisedSubstance Misuse
- H.25.craisedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
- H.25.fraisedIllegal Drug Use While Holding a Security Clearance
- E.16.craisedCredible Adverse Information
- E.16.draisedCredible Adverse Information Supporting Whole-person Assessment
- H.26.bappliedAcknowledgment of Drug InvolvementThe applicant acknowledged his drug involvement and provided some evidence of actions taken to overcome this problem.
- H.26.arejectedBehavior Happened Long AgoInsufficient time has elapsed since the applicant's most recent abuse of prescription drugs.
- H.26.cnotedAbuse After Severe Illness
- H.26.dnotedCompletion of Drug Treatment Program
Key Rule Quoted
“"Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of the national security."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 30, 2016
- Answer filedJan 17, 2017
- Hearing heldApr 19, 2017
- Decision dateJul 24, 2017
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Recent Drug Involvement
- Impact of Illegal Drug Use on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Mitigating Factors in Drug Involvement Cases