Alcohol dependency among secret service high admits chief

The director of the US secret service has admitted there is a culture of alcohol dependency and the hiding of information within the agency which needs addressing.

Speaking to Congress this week, director Joseph Clancy, admitted: “We do have an element that goes to alcohol,” saying it was usually a result of the stresses of the job.

“We’ve got to find a way to help some of these people that are going towards alcohol as a coping mechanism” he continued.

“When you’re working 12 hours a day, and you think you have the next day off, and it’s cancelled … and the stress that we’re under. I know people don’t want to hear us talk about them.”

Clancy had been called to Congress to explain the latest in a string of embarrassing incidents involving the secret service when two senior agents crashed into a security barrier at the White House earlier this month.

Appropriations committee chairman, Hal Rogers, raised concerns about the health of the agents and the subsequent safety of the president.

“This is the latest episode of agents drinking, carousing, on and off duty, that this agency has suffered in the last few years. It’s not working right, Mr Director,” he said.

Clancy reported that the secret service had launched a “work-life initiative” three to four weeks ago for agents in need of it.