Summary
A 32-year-old college-educated male applicant was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). While alcohol-related issues, including a DUI conviction, were mitigated by his subsequent responsible behavior, his history of illegal drug use and recent policy violations proved unmitigated.
The applicant's drug history included frequent marijuana use in high school and college, infrequent use since graduation, and a further instance in October 2015 after completing his Security Clearance Application (SCA). He also disclosed infrequent cocaine use from October 2008 to April 2015, with the last use at a bachelor party. Additionally, he used hallucinogenic mushrooms three times between October 2008 and July 2011, and MDMA five to ten times from April 2011 to July 2014, purchasing it in 2013 and using it again in February 2016.
The denial was based on his extensive history of illegal drug use, including marijuana, cocaine, mushrooms, and MDMA. His continued drug use after submitting his SCA, specifically marijuana in October 2015 and MDMA in February 2016, raised doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness. The applicant failed to demonstrate a significant period of abstinence or a firm commitment to refrain from future drug use.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- Applicant took responsibility for his alcohol-related conduct and completed the required alcohol class.
- He has not had additional alcohol-related issues since his DUI conviction.
Conditions Referenced
- H.25.araisedAny Drug Abuse
- H.25.craisedIllegal Drug Possession, Including Cultivation, Processing, Manufacture, Purchase, Sale, or Distribution; or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- H.26.arejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Happened Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur or Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual’s Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good JudgmentApplicant's drug use was not infrequent and occurred after he completed his SCA.
- H.26.brejectedA Demonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Any Drugs in the FutureApplicant did not provide sufficient evidence of commitment to abstain from drug use.
- G.23.aappliedSo Much Time Has Passed, or the Behavior Was so Infrequent, or It Happened Under Such Unusual Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur or Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual’s Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good Judgment
- G.23.bappliedThe Individual Acknowledges His or Her Alcoholism or Issues of Alcohol Abuse, Provides Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome This Problem, and Has Established a Pattern of Abstinence
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 13, 2016
- Answer filedNov 8, 2016
- Hearing heldApr 21, 2017
- Decision dateMay 9, 2017
Cite For
- Mitigation of Alcohol Consumption Concerns Under Guideline G
- Disqualifying Conditions Related to Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
- The Importance of Demonstrating a Commitment to Abstain From Illegal Drug Use for Security Clearance Eligibility.