DRUG FILES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005444840
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: March 16, 2010
• Case Number: F-2009-01659
• Publication Date: August 19, 1975

OTti! Ara MEMO 7-'rj299-75
19 !wgust 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, OTS
Drug Files
1. Early in. 1973, Dr. Gottlieb, then C/TSD, called
and inc-, to his office and requested that we review our
Branch holdings and assure him that there were no extant re-
cords of the drug research progr. am which had been terminated
many years before. Dr. Gottlieb explained that Mr. Helms, in
the process of vacating his chair as DCI, had called him and
said, in effect, "Let's take this with us," or, "Let's let
this die with us.."
2 . carried out the files review for our
office and reported its completion to me an.d. to Dr. Gottlieb.
I have no recollection of any records having been surfaced
other than those he has reported in his own. memorandum. A
similar review was requested of of TSD/CB.
3. As to my reactions at the time, I remember feeling
that it was unrealistic and perhaps futile to presume that
institutional memory can be erased by purging files; but I
felt that Mr. Helms' effort (as expressed by Dr. Gottlieb) was
an entiroly honest and essentially altruistic one, and in no
way malicious or extra-legal. Essentially ho was taking
notice that he and Dr. Gottlieb largely personified the al--
ways--controversial drug research program; and since it was
long over he wanted theta to take the onus and responsibility
away with them in their retirements - not leaving it as a
burden or an albatross for those who came after them. There
were no related investigations taking place at the time, and
no relevant caveats on reduction of files. Mr. Helms seemed
to be saying "it was our bath; let us clean the tub."
el CU.
?,~~Nt,,~y
.,~?:6~b cep a
p
/
~7
APPROVED FOR
RELEASE^DATE:
09-Mar-201 0
Senior Psychologist
OTS/BAB
E2 IMPDET CL BY
Ce)
a~9Q-ro1o~~f -il a4&med