DESTRUCTION OF DRUG AND TOXIN RELATED FILES

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00146170
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 17, 2024
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: October 3, 1975

.0 3 OCT 12:75
MEMORANDUM FOR: Inspector General,
SUBJECT : Destruction of Drug and Toxin Related Files
1. On your instructions, I have investigated the destruction of
Agency records related to drugs and toxins. This investigation was con-
ducted between 17-30 September 1975 and was limited to avoid interfering �
in any way with other ongoing investigations of this matter, including that
of the FBI.
2.. I discussed this matter with the following people:
� Dr. Sayre Stevens, ADD/S&T__
3. Summary Conclusions: The investigation focused on four areas:
a. Destruction of files related to MKULTRA and the continued
existence of any such files or papers.
-- No existing drug-related MKULTRA material was located.
Dr. Gottlieb appears to have authorized destruction of MKULTRA
drug-related files and may have been directed to do so by Mr.
Helm.
;
MKULTRA files formerly held in Records Center may have
been destroyed on 30 January 1973 rather than 31 January 1973.
The Chief of Records Center protested destruction of those files
on 2 February 1973.
-- The investigation also uncovered material related to MKULTRA
in the minutes of the CIA Research Board for 1953-1962.
-- No satisfactory explanation has been found concerning some
MKULTRA material retired to Archives, not recorded as having been
destroyed, and not yet located.
b. Destruction or continued existence of other files possibly
related to drugs.
-- Three boxes of material formerly stored in Records Center
were destroyed in January 1973 when the MKULTRA material was destroyed.
One box of this material deals with environmental sampling for BW
and CW manufacturing activity. OTS is currently attempting to identify-
the projects dealt with in the material in the other two boxes.
SOme:-1. .7materia1 dealing with the testing of drugs on
human volunteers has been reviewed by.OIG.
-- Approximately one safe drawer full of Dr. Gottlieb's papers
was destroyed by his secretary at his orders in June 1973, shortly
before he retired. No detailed description of this material-is
available.
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c. The existing MKNAOMI records and the question of whether
records related to the Agency's involvement in toxin programs have
been destroyed.
-- Two MKNAOMI files exist. They contain Agency documents
covering the period 5 May 1952 to 18 February 1970, as well as reports
originated by Camp Detrick during the period 1960-1969.
This material does not present a detailed history of MKNAOMI
activity. However, Dr. Stevens has determined that it was standard
procedure to keep little or no record of this project's activities.
He does not believe any papers were removed from these files.
.-- Dr. Stevens has also determined that there are no existing
Army records on this project or on the Special Operations Division
at. Fort Detrick.
-- Some MKNAOMI papers May have been included in Dr. Gottlieb's
papers destroyed in June 1973, but we have no evidence of this.
. .
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d. The system for retiring recordi-to RecorciS Center and ArChiesl,
records retrieval, and records destruction.
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4. MKULTRA: This investigation has turned up no existing drug-.
related MKULTRA files.
a. DIG files contain a number of documents which refer to the
destruction of MKULTRA files in 1973. Copies of these documents
are attached at Tab A. In general, these documents indicate that
the MKULTRA files were destroyed on the instructions of Dr. Sidney
Gottlieb, then Chief of TSD, on 31 Janaury 1973. Both Branch files
and records retrieved from archives were destroyed,
b. A 17 January 1975 MOR byL_ _ lstates,
"Over my stated objections the MKULTRA files were destoyed by order
of the DCI (Mr. Helms) shortly before .his departure from office."
In a 15 August 1975 MOR,: \Chief, OTS/BAB, des-
cribes a discussion with Dr. Gottlieb "early in 1973" in which the
latter said he had received a call from Mr. Helms who had instructed
Dr. .Gottlieb to destroy all files pertaining to drug research and
associated activities.
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c. Records Center files contained a handwritten MDR dated
2 February 1973 with attachments by former Chief,
Archives and Records Center (see Tab 8).
- _
tcomments on
destruction notices for Job No. 68-746 (MKULTRA) and 69-256 (seemingly
other drug related files). He records his belief that the files should
not have been destroyed. He also notes that he checked with:�
JOTS/RMO, who agreed with him that the project files should
have been retained. - :Os also reported to have determined
that Dr. Gottlieb authorized destruction of the files. The destruction
notices attached to. --JMOR show that Job Nos. 68-256 ant
68-746 were destroyed on 30 January 1973. (M.B.:31.January 1973 seems to be
the commonly-accepted date in the documents under Tab A.)
d. Copies of the Chemical Branch/Biological Branch and Chief, OTS
Records Retirement Files are attached at Tab C. The shelf lists for
Job Nos. 74-75 and 62-1153 in the Chief, OTS file list three files
associated with MKULTRA:
71 Subproject W-Project
MKULTRA - May 1956 through October 1975"
Subproject AA - Project
. .
MKULTRA - May-1959 through May 1960"
-1 Subproject AC - Project MKULTRA
September 1559 through January 1960."
I recalled these files from Records Center and reviewed them. -They
A
concern' .
land have nothing to-do with
drugs or toxins. I briefed Dr. Stevens on them on 22 September. Be
noted that there is a considerable quantity of material on the
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\aspects of MKULTRA. None of the files related to
those aspects of the project have been destroyed.
e. _ � ''OTS/RMO, reviewed the material contained
in ten boxes recalled from Records Center by OTS because of their
possible association with the drug program. j25
September memorandum to OIG describing the contents of those
boxes is attached at Tab D. These boxes contained a considerable
amount of material dealing with animal screening tests involving
various drugs, but they contain no material dealing with tests
involving humans or identified as connected with Project MKULTRA.
f. Paragraph 1-b of _ - -.125 September memorandum
mentions an MKULTRA file and other material of possible interest
which appear on a shelf list of the historical files of OTS/Missions
�
and Programs Staff which had been transferred to Archives in. the
only deposit ever made to Archives by OTS under File Nos. HO-22.and
110-146-148. On 29 September,: _
Archival material at Records Center:
-- Reviewed byll
File No 110-22 "TSD-Technical Growth
1952-61"
_And I reviewed the following
File No. 1(0-146 - "Research Board - Administrative"
File No. 1(0-148 -
Reviewed by Mr:
_\ Contract File"
__.
File No. 1(0-147 - "Research Board."
'found no material concerning MKULTRA drugs, or toxins in .
the files he reviewed. According to the shelf list associated with
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these files, MKULTRA and \material had been retired to
Archives in Box No. 1, HO-22. The shelf lists bear no indication
that the material in
-Therefore,:
conducted a thorough
was found.
At my request,
question was removdd from Box 1 or destroyed.
Ikrchives Technician,
search of Box 1. No MKULTRA or' -'