Summary
A 60-year-old pipe welder was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct), G (Alcohol Consumption), and H (Drug Involvement). The applicant had a long history of alcohol and drug issues, including five alcohol-related arrests, two work suspensions for alcohol use, and diagnoses of alcohol abuse in 1995 and alcohol dependence in 2000. He was arrested for DUI in 2011 and 2013, and failed to complete employer-sponsored treatment in 2000, resuming drinking in 2010.
Further issues included the applicant's admission of marijuana use while holding a security clearance and his failure to report DUI arrests to his facility security officer. Although the applicant claimed current abstinence from alcohol and marijuana and attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, the judge found insufficient evidence to mitigate the established concerns.
The denial was based on the applicant's extensive history of alcohol-related incidents, including multiple arrests and treatment failures, his admitted drug use while cleared, and his failure to report incidents. The judge concluded that the applicant's claims of reform were not adequately supported by documentary evidence.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a long history of alcohol-related incidents, including multiple arrests and treatment failures.
- He admitted to using marijuana while holding a security clearance and failed to report recent arrests to his security officer.
- The applicant's claims of abstinence and participation in treatment were not supported by sufficient evidence.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- AG ¶ 22(b)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents at Work
- AG ¶ 22(d)raisedDiagnosis of Alcohol Abuse or Dependence
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedDrug Abuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)raisedIllegal Drug Possession
- AG ¶ 25(g)raisedIllegal Drug Use After Being Granted a Security Clearance
- AG ¶ 16(c)raisedCredible Adverse Information
- AG ¶ 23(a)rejectedTime Passed or Infrequent Behavior Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 23(b)rejectedAcknowledgment of Alcoholism and Actions Taken
- AG ¶ 23(c)rejectedParticipation in Counseling or Treatment Program
- AG ¶ 26(a)rejectedBehavior Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 26(b)rejectedDemonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Drugs in the Future
- AG ¶ 26(d)rejectedCompletion of Drug Treatment Program
- AG ¶ 17(a)rejectedPrompt Efforts to Correct Omissions
- AG ¶ 17(b)rejectedFailure to Cooperate Due to Inadequate Advice
- AG ¶ 17(c)rejectedMinor Offense or Infrequent Behavior Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 17(d)rejectedAcknowledgment of Behavior and Counseling
- AG ¶ 17(e)rejectedPositive Steps to Reduce Vulnerability
Key Rule Quoted
“the protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedDec 4, 2014
- Answer filedDec 31, 2014
- Hearing held—Case decided on written record.
- Decision dateMar 28, 2016
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Long History of Alcohol and Drug Issues
- Failure to Report Incidents to Security Officer as a Disqualifying Factor
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation and Abstinence From Substance Use