Hacker News Reader

Comment by Cidan | Hacker News Reader

Many years ago, I worked for a contractor where we required clearance. We hired this one sysadmin "stick it to the man" type of guy that was extremely well educated and talented.

When he got to the part of the form that asked if he has ever consumed drugs, he said "yes" as he should have by being honest. The follow up question asks something along the lines of, "If yes, will you ever consume drugs again?"

The jack-ass decided to answer "I won't not do them again..." We fired him a few days later.

View on HN

With these sort of things, it's better to tell the truth and get fired than to lie, and wonder if you're going to get prosecuted somewhere down the line for lying to a federal agent. Jobs aren't so rare; you should think twice before lying.

Edit: Yes, it is better to work at a car wash than to get convicted for lying to federal agents. Don't believe me? Ask any federal prisoner if they'd be willing to work at a car wash in exchange for their freedom.

Are those questions about illegal drugs or all drugs? Can you answer you don't take drugs when you smoke or drink alcohol? What if you have Marijuana in a country where it is legal? What about alcohol in a country where it is not? Is the trouble for the government that you are willing to go against the law, or that yoj could be under influence?

It's a questionnaire to get a security clearance in the US. Pretty sure it's only from a US perspective and you'd be disqualified if you lived abroad where these concerns would make any sense.

"In the last seven (7) years, have you illegally used any drugs or controlled substances? Use of a drug or controlled substance includes injecting, snorting, inhaling, swallowing, experimenting with or otherwise consuming any drug or controlled substance.

[...]

In the last seven (7) years have you intentionally engaged in the misuse of prescription drugs, regardless of whether or not the drugs were prescribed for you or someone else?

[...]

In the last seven (7) years has your use of alcohol had a negative impact on your work performance, your professional or personal relationships, your finances, or resulted in intervention by law enforcement/public safety personnel?"

They also ask a bunch of other questions as follow-ons. https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86-non508.pdf form page 93 PDF page 96.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com