Summary
A 24-year-old defense contractor employee sought a secret security clearance despite past drug use, which included marijuana from 1989 through May 1995, LSD in 1990, and psilocybin mushrooms on three occasions during college. Allegations under Guideline H (Drug Involvement), Guideline E (Personal Conduct), and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct) were raised, noting that the applicant had contributed to marijuana purchases and bought LSD in college, and that his drug use was more than experimental. Additionally, the applicant initially misrepresented his drug use and purchases on the National Agency Questionnaire (NAQ).
However, the judge found that the applicant had not used drugs since May 1995, demonstrating a period of abstinence exceeding eighteen months at the time of the hearing. The applicant's drug involvement was deemed not recent, and his admissions were made voluntarily.
The decision to grant the clearance was based on several mitigating factors. The applicant provided credible testimony about his drug use and his intent to remain drug-free. Crucially, he made prompt, good-faith efforts to correct omissions in his NAQ before being confronted with the discrepancies. These factors collectively led to the determination that the security clearance should be GRANTED.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant had not used illegal drugs since May 1995, demonstrating a significant period of abstinence.
- The applicant provided credible testimony regarding his drug use and intent to remain drug-free in the future.
- The applicant made prompt, good-faith efforts to correct omissions in his National Agency Questionnaire (NAQ) before being confronted with the facts.
Conditions Referenced
- H1raisedDrug Abuse
- E2raisedDeliberate Omission
- J1raisedCriminal Conduct
- H1appliedNot Recent Drug Involvement
- H3appliedDemonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Drugs
- E2appliedIsolated Incident of Falsification
- J2appliedIsolated Incident of Criminal Conduct
Key Rule Quoted
“The responsibility for producing evidence initially falls on the Government to demonstrate that it is not clearly consistent with the national interest to grant or continue access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 23, 1996
- Answer filedOct 17, 1996
- Hearing heldFeb 19, 1997
- Decision dateApr 29, 1997
Cite For
- Mitigation of Drug Involvement Under Guideline H Due to a Significant Period of Abstinence
- Credibility Assessments in the Context of Drug Use Disclosures
- Mitigation of Personal Conduct Issues Based on Good-faith Efforts to Correct Omissions in Security Questionnaires