Summary
A 47-year-old digital design engineer was denied a security clearance under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) due to his extensive history of drug use. The applicant had a 28-year history of marijuana use, which included periods of daily use, and had purchased marijuana with varying frequency. While in college, he also used cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms with varying frequency, PCP on at least two occasions, and LSD on at least one occasion.
Disqualifying conditions related to drug involvement were raised, specifically concerning the pattern of drug use and the recency and frequency of such use. The applicant claimed to have stopped using drugs in January 2005, and mitigating conditions were considered, including the passage of time since the last drug use and the applicant's stated intent to discontinue use.
However, the judge determined that the applicant's long-term drug involvement raised significant doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness. His claims of cessation were deemed insufficient to mitigate the security concerns, particularly because he continued to associate with friends involved in illegal drug activity, which undermined his assertions of reform. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had a 28-year history of marijuana use, which included daily use at times.
- The applicant's claims of having stopped drug use were not sufficient to mitigate the security concerns raised by his long-term drug involvement.
- The applicant continued to associate with friends who had engaged in illegal drug activity, which undermined his claims of reform.
Conditions Referenced
- DC 25(a)raisedAny Drug Abuse
- DC 25(c)raisedIllegal Drug Possession
- MC 26(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long AgoThe applicant's 28 years of marijuana use was not mitigated by two years of claimed abstinence.
- MC 26(b)rejectedDemonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Drugs in the FutureThe applicant's continued association with drug-using friends and his lengthy history of drug use precluded application.
- MC 26(b)(4)appliedSigned Statement of Intent to Avoid Future Drug UseThe applicant submitted a written statement of intent never to use drugs again.
Key Rule Quoted
“It is well established that the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 28, 2006
- Answer filedOct 16, 2006
- Hearing heldDec 20, 2006
- Decision dateFeb 20, 2007
Cite For
- Long-term Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
- Impact of Past Behavior on Future Security Clearance Eligibility
- Mitigating Conditions Related to Drug Use and Rehabilitation Efforts