Tulsa World: Helping veterans goal of substance abuse court

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Helping veterans goal of substance abuse court
The new program will focus on people accused of nonviolent felony offenses.

NEW COURT
Tulsa County Special District Judge Sarah Smith: The program is a way to "give back to" veterans, Judge Smith says.

By BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer
Published: 11/30/2008 2:42 AM
Last Modified: 11/30/2008 7:48 PM

The new program will focus on people accused of nonviolent felony offenses.

A new therapeutic court program being developed in Tulsa to address the needs of military veterans is an opportunity to "give back to the people who have stood for us," Tulsa County Special District Judge Sarah Smith said.

"I feel like it is an honor to be able to offer some assistance to veterans who need help to get back on their feet," she said.

Under the umbrella of the well-established Tulsa County Drug Court, a Veterans Treatment Court will focus on people with military backgrounds and alcohol or drug addiction.

The court will deal with people who are accused of nonviolent felony offenses and who have substance-abuse issues. A defendant's underlying charge doesn't have to be a drug or alcohol charge but could include such charges as larceny of merchandise from a retailer, concealing stolen property and burglary.

Some aspects of the court are similar to the established drug and DUI courts here, which are designed as alternatives to incarceration.

Drug Court participants undergo a treatment regimen that includes counseling sessions, drug testing, probation supervision and regular status hearings in court.

The new court will convene once a week at the county courthouse, with Smith as the judge. The start-up session is scheduled for Dec. 8.

Some veterans in early stages of a standard Drug Court treatment program are being moved to the new docket.

The docket won't start out large, but Smith indicated that she wants to build it up rather quickly to include treatment for 50 people.

As in Drug Court, the District Attorney's Office will have a gate-keeping role over who is eligible to participate.

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services oversees state funding of drug courts.

A specialized focus on treating veterans opens the door to additional resources, available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies, that would not be available for a program dealing with nonveterans.

The Veterans Treatment Court plans to make use of volunteer "mentors" for program participants.

In the mentoring, "we want to match people with similar service histories and experiences" who are better suited to understand issues being faced, Smith said.

Matt Stiner, who works on veterans affairs as an assistant to Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, said military backgrounds of people treated in this program will ensure a strong support network.

"If you go to any veterans hospital, the camaraderie is there," according to Stiner, a former Marine.

The military "is a macho environment" where people aren't inclined to say that they need help, he indicated.

It makes no sense to send veterans to jail or prison "because they were struggling because of their combat experience" and they used "alcohol or drugs to cope with whatever problems they have," Stiner said.

Buffalo, N.Y., started holding sessions in early 2008 in what is recognized as the nation's first Veterans Treatment Court.

Bill Braun 581-8455
bill.braun@tulsaworld.com By BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment smith, (11/30/2008 10:12:47 AM) Drug court saved my x life abd Judge Smith is a very great part of that she showed him he could live life without drinking and drugs .
	Report Comment Few Clothes, Austin, TX (11/30/2008 2:38:54 PM) Kudos to Judge Smith for starting this program in Tulsa. Combat veterans can be macho in the field, and lost when they get home. I hope many will now feel hope is here.
	Report Comment Angry Citizen!, Bluejacket (11/30/2008 6:27:11 PM) Sounds good on the surface, but what are the details? Will the VA be involved, they have wonderful substance abuse counselors with Doctorates, and lots of resources. I worry about Vets who are suffering in this way, but think there ought to be a federal oversight for these people, not some locals romancing the legislature with free reign. I also have to wonder what type of services the VA already offers. Essentially, what will it cost these soldiers, and how much of their disability will go to "The Courts"? A little follow up TW?
	Report Comment wHAT_NOW?, Tulsa (11/30/2008 8:20:32 PM) About time! This is great. Many of our veterans have been suffering for a long time, along with their families. Here's hoping to a new way to treat a problem that has been swept under the rug for far too long!!!!
	Report Comment Jon Andrews, (11/30/2008 8:31:00 PM) What a great idea! There are only two veterans treatment courts in the nation and it is incredible we will have one in Tulsa to take care of those who fought for us.
	Report Comment Glen R. Graham, Tulsa (12/2/2008 10:26:01 PM) Veteran's court is another alternative court, an alternative to prison and an alternative to traditional probation. Like Drug court and Mental Health court, it will offer a hand-up and not a hand-out. It's a treatment approach to helping offenders obtain treatment in the community and offers substantial cost savings. The cost of probation is estimated at a substantially lesser amount than the total costs of incarceration. Post traumatic stress syndrome, adjustment disorders, and traumatic brain injury, and problems adjusting to life after returning from service have been documented and written about many times. Too many people have been incarcerated for drug offenses only to be released without sufficient treatment which becomes a revolving door. Alternative courts offers alternatives and incentives for rehabilitation within the community. While some attorneys and legal scholars question the constitutionality of treatment courts, they do offer alternatives to tradional incarceration of non-violent offenders. I have blogged about treatment courts. Sincerely, Glen R. Graham, Attorney, Tulsa, OK
	Report Comment 61, Tulsa (12/8/2008 8:14:23 AM) I think this is a wonderful addition to an already existing program with good outcomes. Anyone in the community needs our help in recovering from the destructive disease of substance abuse and especially those that have served their country. I have seen our drug court in operation and know that it combines accountability, treatment, and meaningful relationships with professional people who know what they are doing and who care. Participants in the program get treatment for the addiction, find jobs, and regain the responsibility of their families. I applaud Judge Smith and her team for their hard work and for this new addition that makes so much sense.

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