They go halfway around the world to fight in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and often are held over by popular demand for additional tours of duty.
They return, in far too many cases, with traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues that can lead to dangerous behavior or homelessness. One in six United States military veterans develop a drug addiction and end up in the court system, treated like criminals when in many cases they need psychological or substance abuse treatment. There are more than 700,000 U.S. veterans now in the court system – either in prison, jail, being tried or awaiting trials, according to the nonprofit Justice for Vets organization. The group also claims a 98 percent success rate among the 11,000 veterans who have been through the treatment court so far.
Monday, Stanislaus County authorities took a more enlightened approach toward dealing with veterans accused of crimes. The first session of Veterans Treatment Court commenced in Stanislaus County Superior Court. The court is based on similar models elsewhere throughout the nation, and they share a common goal, said Jim Greer of Stanislaus County Veterans Services.
“(Vets) can go through a treatment program if they qualify,” Greer said. “It beats going to jail, basically.”
A dozen veterans treatment courts existed in California in 2011. Now, there are more than two dozen, with other counties preparing go to that route as well. San Joaquin County’s began in 2014, and found many of the veterans were battling DUI convictions that made it tough to keep their drivers’ licenses, which, in turn, make it difficult to get to work.
“It got them into treatment programs and has been a real success,” Greer said.
http://www.modbee.com/news/loc...article57847098.html
Comments (0)