Drug Use and DOJ/USAO Internships Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi all, had a question on drug use along with applying for DOJ/USAO internships. Incoming 1L.

I previously filled out an SF85 for an ug internship, and didn’t have any drug use. When the pandemic started, I took adderall once and I started smoking weed (probably once every 6 months or so, legal in state) leading up to March of this year. I also experimented with cocaine for the first time in March as well.

I heard that hard drug use within the past year would be disqualifying. Does that year apply to the date of the application? Or would it be measured by the date of the background check? I read that most internship checks only ask for a year as well, would I have to disclose all drug use, or only a portion that took place within the past year?

Furthermore, would there be any issues with the conflicting SF85s (previous background check was about half a year before the pandemic started)? Would appreciate any advice/insight.

[polareagle]

Hi all, had a question on drug use along with applying for DOJ/USAO internships. Incoming 1L.

I previously filled out an SF85 for an ug internship, and didn’t have any drug use. When the pandemic started, I took adderall once and I started smoking weed (probably once every 6 months or so, legal in state) leading up to March of this year. I also experimented with cocaine for the first time in March as well.

I heard that hard drug use within the past year would be disqualifying. Does that year apply to the date of the application? Or would it be measured by the date of the background check? I read that most internship checks only ask for a year as well, would I have to disclose all drug use, or only a portion that took place within the past year?

Furthermore, would there be any issues with the conflicting SF85s (previous background check was about half a year before the pandemic started)? Would appreciate any advice/insight.

If you have used drugs of any kind within the year before you fill out the SF-85, you will have to disclose them. Disclosing cocaine use seems likely to result in a denial. Disclosing marijuana use may result in follow up questions that result in you having to disclose the cocaine use which likely will result in a denial. The best course of action in general is to wait until you can truthfully answer "no" to all the drugs questions on the form. In your case, because follow-up questions might be even worse, that advice is extra applicable.

It just doesn't seem like a 1L (I'm assuming) internship is worth the chance of creating a permanent record at DOJ of your hard drug use that will cause you problems for all time should you ever want a real job there. But also, if you ever want to work at a federal law enforcement agency (which DOJ is), stop using drugs of all kinds. (The lookback for sensitive positions is 7 years.)

[Anonymous User]

Furthermore, would there be any issues with the conflicting SF85s (previous background check was about half a year before the pandemic started)? Would appreciate any advice/insight.

Just to comment on this part - they retain previous SF86s in your file; I interned way back in law school, did the background check when I got hired as an AUSA and have been in the job long enough to have my background check renewed, and all my previous answers showed up when I went into the system to my renewal. I can't guarantee that SF85s go into the same bucket, but it would very much surprise me if they don't.

So conflicting information can definitely be a problem. Now, a change in circumstances isn't, so not listing drug use on your past form, when at that time you didn't have drug use, and adding drug use that occurred since that form was submitted, won't be an issue (in terms of conflicting info, obviously the drug use could be a problem on its own). But if you didn't include information on your UG form that you should have, and you include that information now, yes, that's likely to raise a red flag.