Summary
A 28-year-old college graduate and defense contractor employee was denied a security clearance under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) due to an extensive history of illegal drug use between 2000 and 2007. The Statement of Reasons detailed her use of marijuana at least 100 times, cocaine at least 10 times, and ecstasy at least four times during this period, along with purchasing marijuana four or five times. These actions raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines Paragraphs 25(a) and 25(c).
While the applicant claimed abstinence since June 2007 and a change in her social environment, the judge found her 14-month period of abstinence insufficient to mitigate the significant security concerns. Mitigating conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines Paragraphs 26(a) and 26(b) were considered but ultimately not applied.
The denial was based on the lengthy history of illegal drug use and the determination that the 14-month period of abstinence was inadequate to address the extensive drug involvement. The applicant also failed to provide sufficient evidence of rehabilitation or a sustained change in behavior to alleviate concerns regarding her reliability and trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had a lengthy history of illegal drug use, including marijuana over 100 times and other drugs, which raised significant security concerns.
- The applicant's 14-month period of abstinence was deemed insufficient to mitigate the extensive history of drug involvement.
- The applicant did not provide evidence of rehabilitation or a change in behavior that would alleviate concerns about her reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedAny Drug Abuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)raisedIllegal Drug Possession
- AG ¶ 26(a)rejectedBehavior Happened Long Ago or InfrequentlyThe applicant's extensive drug use history was too significant to consider her abstinence as mitigating.
- AG ¶ 26(b)rejectedDemonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Drugs in the FutureThe applicant's 14-month abstinence was insufficient to demonstrate a lasting change.
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended only to resolve whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest for an applicant to either receive or continue to have access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 22, 2008
- Answer filedMay 13, 2008Applicant admitted all allegations.
- Hearing held—Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
- Decision dateAug 28, 2008
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Extensive Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
- Insufficient Period of Abstinence to Mitigate Drug Use Concerns
- Rejection of Mitigating Conditions Based on the Applicant's History of Drug Use