INFORMATION RELEASES ON DRUGS AND MKULTRA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00156R000300050058-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 22, 2003
• Sequence Number: 58
• Publication Date: September 24, 1979
• Content Type: MF

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j proved:For ase 2004106129: CIA-RDa83-001-56
COMMENTS (Number each:`comment to show from whom
towhom. Draw c line' across column offer: eoch -comment.),
In view `of -the case
this should be `called to the
attention' of everyone, who may
-be, "releasing"-* materials, or, pre
paring it for release mined
 Approved Fo.lease 2004/06/29: CIA-RDP83-00150 00300050058-7
2 4 SEP 1979
MEMORAN]]JM FOR: General Counsel
THROUGH: Deputy Director for Administration
FRC61: Frank Laubinger
Special Assistant/DDA
SUBJECT: Information Releases on Drugs and MKULTRA
1. Action Requested: Prior to the release of any new significant
material which could conceivably be traced to a former employee or con-
tractor, inform those persons of its imminent release and of their
(limited) release from their security agreement.
2. Background:
a. Persons involved in the investigation of MKULTRA activities
have interviewed many former employees and contractors. These men were
all involved in classified research and in some instances classified
operational activities. In most cases the work was absolutely proper
and there is nothing for these men to be ashamed of; yet in the public
eye, everything part of MKULTRA has become tainted by association.
b. An individual told of being called into a university's front
office to be questioned at length about MKULTRA and the extent of his
involvement. First, he does not recall that he ever heard the name and
secondly, he remembers his secrecy agreement. His first thought, am I
free to discuss these matters with these people? He reports suffering
several months embarrassment, often caused by persons knowing more
about the topic than he did, before he realized there was nothing to be
embarrassed about. He indicated it would have been much better for all
concerned if he had known what information had been released and what
if any was still considered classified. This was a virtually universal
complaint/suggestion of those interviewed. Most would have willingly
acknowledged the work they had done if only they knew what had been
released and what if anything was still considered classified and how
the entire episode affected the secrecy agreement. Any bitterness
encountered stemmed not from the release of the material but in the way
it was done.
Approved For Release 2004/06/29 : CIA-RDP83-00156R000300050058-7
 Approved Fo0lease 2004/06/29: CIA-RDP83-0015 00300050058-7
3. Recomendation: Please announce the suggested policy and
inform OGC attorneys, --the Office of Public Affairs, and the DDA/Assistant
for Information of the change. A notice for general distribution is
also suggested.
STAT
Frank Laubinger
Approved For Release 2004/06/29 : CIA-RDP83-00156R000300050058-7