Summary
A 28-year-old systems analyst for a defense contractor was denied a security clearance under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) due to a history of illegal drug use. The Statement of Reasons detailed several allegations, including marijuana use during high school, college, and shortly thereafter, as well as one instance after submitting his security clearance application. The applicant also used cocaine approximately 20 times between February 1998 and January 2001.
Additionally, the applicant began using LSD at age 16 in September 1994, purchasing and using it socially on a few occasions. In March 1998, his marijuana use led to a criminal charge for possession of drug abuse paraphernalia.
Despite remaining drug-free for two years and excelling at work, the judge found that the applicant failed to mitigate the security concerns. The denial was based on his long history of serious drug abuse, the resumption of drug use after a drug education program and prior to his application, and the relatively short two-year period of abstinence compared to ten years of frequent drug abuse.
Why the applicant was denied
- Applicant has a long history of serious drug abuse, raising substantial security concerns.
- He resumed using illegal drugs after completing a drug education program and prior to submitting his security clearance application.
- The two years of abstinence from drugs is relatively short compared to his ten years of frequent drug abuse.
Conditions referenced
- E2.A8.1.2.1appliedDrug Abuse
- E2.A8.1.2.2appliedIllegal Drug Possession
- E2.A8.1.3.1rejectedNot Recent Drug InvolvementApplicant's drug involvement was recent, as he used marijuana after submitting his application.
- E2.A8.1.3.2rejectedIsolated or Aberrational EventApplicant abused drugs on numerous occasions over many years.
- E2.A8.1.3.3rejectedDemonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Drugs in the FutureApplicant's statements indicated uncertainty about future drug use.
- E2.A8.1.3.4rejectedCompletion of Drug Treatment ProgramIt is unclear if the drug education program qualifies as a treatment program, and he resumed drug use afterward.
Key rule quoted
“"The adjudicative process is an examination of a sufficient period of a person's life to make an affirmative determination that the person is eligible for a security clearance."”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedMar 28, 2005
- Answer filedApr 11, 2005
- Hearing heldDec 14, 2005with concurrence of Applicant and Department Counsel
- Decision dateMar 20, 2006
Cite for
- Denial of Clearance Due to Long History of Drug Abuse Under Guideline H
- Failure to Mitigate Security Concerns Despite Two Years of Abstinence
- Rejection of Mitigating Conditions Based on Recent Drug Use and History of Abuse