Summary
A 30-year-old carpenter was denied a security clearance under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a history of alcohol-related incidents. The Statement of Reasons detailed four arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) or alcohol-related driving offenses between December 2005 and November 2015, including one instance in January 2013 where he drove into a tree while intoxicated, resulting in a reckless driving conviction. Additionally, during an August 2016 interview, the applicant admitted to consuming alcohol to intoxication monthly.
Disqualifying conditions under Guideline G were raised, specifically concerning alcohol consumption that causes impaired judgment and a pattern of alcohol-related incidents. While the applicant had abstained from alcohol since March 2017 and had no formal diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder, the judge found these efforts insufficient to mitigate the concerns.
The denial was based on the applicant's extensive history of alcohol-related incidents, the relatively recent and brief period of abstinence compared to his past abuse, and the lack of sufficient evidence demonstrating a clear and established pattern of modified consumption or sustained abstinence. Mitigating conditions related to the problem being a thing of the past and successful rehabilitation were considered but ultimately not applied to overcome the disqualifying factors.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant has a history of multiple alcohol-related incidents, including DUIs and reckless driving.
- The applicant's abstinence from alcohol is recent and brief compared to his history of alcohol abuse.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of a clear and established pattern of modified consumption or abstinence.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- AG ¶ 22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Maladaptive Alcohol Use and Actions Taken to Overcome ItThe applicant's recent decision to abstain from alcohol and recognition of its negative consequences.
- AG ¶ 23(a)rejectedTime Passed or Infrequent Behavior Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's recent OUI conviction and ongoing alcohol consumption raised concerns.
Key rule quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedDec 3, 2016
- Answer filedDec 21, 2016
- Hearing heldJul 23, 2017Rescheduled from 05/23/2017 due to medical reasons.
- Decision dateSep 29, 2017
Cite for
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Multiple Alcohol-related Incidents
- Recent Abstinence From Alcohol Not Sufficient for Mitigation
- Importance of Demonstrating a Clear Pattern of Modified Consumption or Abstinence in Alcohol-related Cases.