Public employee, alcohol, policy and procedure, cocaine, union issues, due process, Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

William Fuller, a former employee of the U.S. Postal Service, appeals a lower court's ruling in his attempt at reinstatement. Fuller had been referred for treatment of his substance abuse problem three times in less than decade. After his third treatment experience, postal service officials placed him on a "last-chance" agreement. When Fuller violated the terms of the agreement, he was dismissed from the postal service. Fuller filed suit, arguing that the postal service failed to provide "reasonable accommodations" for his alcoholism. The postal service responded with a motion for summary judgment.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California granted the postal service's motion for summary judgment. The court ruled the service was not under an obligation to provide a 'reasonable accommodation." Fuller now appeals

Fuller loses. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the ruling of the district court. The appeals court also ruled that other aspects of Fuller's complaint lacked merit and could not be addressed by the court.