Drugs

[northeast]

Hi guys,
I was just wondering if anyone knew how they view the past use of marijuana in selection/clearance. I have smoked before numerous times, will this hinder my chances? how should I answer any questions related to drug use? thanks for your time and responses!

[RPI CSE]

Hello Northeast,

For anything involving security paperwork or anything official, you want to tell them what you did. Admit it now, don't get in trouble for lying later. I believe that they will not outright dismiss you if you tell them at the beginning, most participants are in college and stuff happens, but if they found out you have done it, but you didn't tell them, you will not get clearance and you will be dismissed and owe the government lots of money.

Hope this helps!

[CH]

Hi guys,
I was just wondering if anyone knew how they view the past use of marijuana in selection/clearance. I have smoked before numerous times, will this hinder my chances? how should I answer any questions related to drug use? thanks for your time and responses!

As RPI mentioned, don't lie about it - if you do and they find out, you can kiss a security clearance goodbye.

As to your frequency of use, numerous is a pretty subjective term. If you are still using, you most likely won't get a clearance, but if it was just some recreational use of only marijuana and you have since stopped using it completely, you should be alright.

I will warn you though, if you have quit, make sure you don't start again because if you get a clearance, you start again, get hit with a random urinalysis and pop positive, you can kiss your job and clearance goodbye, as in security will escort you to the gate that day.

Also, if you hang around with a certain group of people because you all use drugs and not because of some other mutual interests, I would suggest you find some new friends. Hanging around with them will increase the likelihood that you'll start again and even if you don't, it will make you more subject to additional scrutiny in the future.

[Guest]

As long as your honest it is alright. They want you to be very specific when you fill out the e-qip. I was in the same situation and they asked a lot of questions. But if you're honest, you're fine.

[Guest]

Be truthful, it's not worth lying about a little marijuana. Stop smoking now if you haven't already. Good Luck!

[slimbo82]

Honesty is the best policy for sure when it comes to the security clearance. Does anyone know when they administer the drug tests for the receipents, and if I am prescribed Adderol should I take that prescription with me to the uranalyis facility?

[2010Scholar]

I have a clearance now and have not been drug tested nor questioned, not that it's a problem for me..never has been. Secret is not that hard to receive and maintain unless you just decide to mess it up. Read the questions on the e-qip carefully. Most of them specify what they are looking for in the answer. Be honest. If you drink on occasion but you don't abuse alcohol, then you aren't going to answer yes to abusing alcohol, right? Drugs are illegal. End of story. Get your act together or rethink what you're applying for.

[AlreadyCleared]

Drugs are illegal. End of story. Get your act together or rethink what you're applying for.

A little harsh...

Anyway, I also currently have a clearance and admitted to smoking pot on occasion throughout college on my paperwork and in my interview. As long as its just pot, nothing harder, and ur not a pot head its not a problem. No doubt I would stop now if you haven't already and like everyone else said you need to admit to it on the e-qip/SF-86, but don't be to concerned.

[smart_hopeful]

Especially at the TS/SCI level you must be completely honest about drug use. If you use/used and don't tell them, they will find out. If they find out and you haven't told them, you will without exception be denied clearance. Don't operate under the assumption that they won't find out - they will. Friends, family, and references will be interviewed, and you'll likely undergo a polygraph.

The adjudicative guidelines for the clearance process are a matter of public record and are freely available on the internet. Here's the section on drugs, for completeness:

The Concern.

a. Improper or illegal involvement with drugs, raises questions regarding an individual's willingness or ability to protect classified information. Drug abuse or dependence may impair social or occupational functioning, increasing the risk of an unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

b. Drugs are defined as mood and behavior altering substances and include:

(1) Drugs, materials, and other chemical compounds identified and listed in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, as amended (e.g., marijuana or cannabis, depressants, narcotics, stimulants, and hallucinogens), and
(2) Inhalants and other similar substances.

c. Drug abuse is the illegal use of a drug or use of a legal drug in a manner that deviates from approved medical direction.

Conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying include:

a. Any drug abuse (see above definition);

b. Illegal drug possession, including cultivation, processing, manufacture, purchase, sale, or distribution;

c. Diagnosis by a credentialed medical professional (e.g., physician, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist) of drug abuse or drug dependence;

d. Evaluation of drug abuse or drug dependence by a licensed clinical social worker who is a staff member of a recognized drug treatment program;

e. Failure to successfully complete a drug treatment program prescribed by a credentialed medical professional. Recent drug involvement, especially following the granting of a security clearance, or an expressed intent not to discontinue use, will almost invariably result in an unfavorable determination.

Conditions that could mitigate security concerns include:

a. The drug involvement was not recent;

b. The drug involvement was an isolated or aberrational event;

c. A demonstrated intent not to abuse any drugs in the future;

d. Satisfactory completion of a prescribed drug treatment program, including rehabilitation and aftercare requirements, without recurrence of abuse, and a favorable prognosis by a credentialed medical professional.