Pubdate: Tue, 11 Oct 2005
Source: Bristol Herald Courier (VA)
Copyright: 2005 Bristol Herald Courier
Contact:  http://www.bristolnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1211
Author: Ted Bridis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

DRUG HISTORY AND FBI EMPLOYMENT: WOULD YOU PASS THE TEST?

WASHINGTON -- The FBI, whose fabled G-men for years have cultivated a 
straight-laced and scrupulous image, says it might relax hiring rules 
against prior use of marijuana and other illegal drugs for some 
prospective employees.

The FBI says it's having trouble finding enough qualified applicants 
with squeaky-clean pasts to fill such important positions as 
intelligence analyst, linguist, computer specialist and accountant.

So let's say you're applying for a job there now -- what sorts of 
questions about your past will you face? What will your answers mean 
about your prospects? And what about other federal agencies -- could 
you get a job in, say, the Drug Enforcement Administration? The CIA?

Here are the types of questions facing recruits. Most are about drug 
use -- but even if you're clean, don't rest on your laurels. The last 
couple of questions show that the bureau has other concerns too.

___

Did you use illegal drugs in high school or college?

IF YOU ANSWER YES: You still could get hired even under today's tough 
anti-drug rules inside the FBI. Most government agencies won't 
automatically disqualify you for a job if you only experimented with 
marijuana on limited occasions a long time ago.

___

Did you use marijuana more than 15 times in your life?

IF YOU ANSWER YES: This is where the new proposal comes into play. 
The FBI is banned from hiring anyone who admits to using marijuana 
more than 15 times. The Drug Enforcement Administration only permits 
"limited youthful and experimental use of marijuana," but doesn't 
specify how many times are allowed. The FBI wants to adopt a relaxed 
standard already used by most U.S. intelligence agencies, such as the 
CIA, which considers the circumstances surrounding a person's prior 
drug history, such as when it occurred and in what settings.

___

Have you used marijuana recently?

IF YOU ANSWER YES: You're probably out of luck. Most government 
agencies will not hire you if you admit recent marijuana use and most 
agencies require drug tests, some of which can detect marijuana use 
up to three months earlier. The FBI is banned from hiring anyone who 
admits to using marijuana within the past three years, and it 
requires applicants to take a polygraph test on this subject.

___

Have you ever used "harder" drugs than marijuana, such as cocaine?

IF YOU ANSWER YES: The government generally takes a tougher view of 
harder drugs. The DEA, for example, automatically rejects anyone who 
admits to using harder drugs than marijuana even one time; the FBI is 
banned from hiring anyone who admits to using hard drugs more than 
five times or within the past 10 years, although this could be 
relaxed under the new proposed rules.

___

Have you ever sold any illegal drug for profit?

IF YOU ANSWER YES: The government also takes a dim view of this. Most 
agencies hiring for any sensitive jobs, including the FBI, are banned 
from hiring anyone who admits this.

___

Have you run up your credit cards? Ever missed a payment?

IF YOU ANSWER YES: For sensitive jobs, such as at the FBI or CIA, 
high debt can represent a security risk because it could make a 
federal agent more susceptible to bribes. Missed payments can suggest 
irresponsibility.

___

Have you ever belonged to a group dedicated to overthrowing the U.S. 
government? Have you ever engaged in acts designed to overthrow the 
government by force?

IF YOU ANSWER YES: Answering yes probably won't make you any friends 
with the recruiter, but remarkably the government allows for such an 
answer. It does, however, ask for additional details about your 
involvement with such groups, prompting applicants: "explain in the 
space below."

___

AP reporter and asap contributor Ted Bridis feels confident that he 
would qualify for a position with the FBI.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman