Group backs effort to boost vets courts

System focus on drugs, mental health

The Arkansas Veterans Coalition decided Friday to assist a Pulaski County circuit judge in her effort to expand veterans treatment courts statewide.


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Coalition members will help spread the word to legislators, judges and others.

Veterans who have been arrested -- particularly those with substance abuse problems or mental health issues -- may be eligible for veterans court, which mandates regular meetings with judges in addition to attending treatment sessions and undergoing random testing for drugs and alcohol.

"With this, veterans are able to access the help that's needed and become contributing members of society again," said Circuit Judge Mary McGowan, who presides over the veterans court in Little Rock's 9th Division. "The idea is if we can get them into treatment and keep them on the straight and narrow for a period of time, we can get their record expunged."

The coalition, which represents veterans and their families, has a pretty broad reach: Members come from 16 organizations, including the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Veterans courts are an extension of the drug-court system, which serves as an alternative form of probation that requires participation in a treatment program. While drug courts require state funding to pay for private treatment, veterans courts connect veterans with treatment they are already entitled to through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

More than 100 veterans courts have been established throughout the United States. Currently, Arkansas has veterans courts in three circuits: one serving Pulaski and Perry counties, where McGowan presides as a judge; one in Lonoke County; and one in Garland County. During its inaugural session more than three years ago, 10 defendants enrolled in veterans court in Little Rock's 9th Division. Now, more than 100 veterans are going through the program, which takes an average of 14 months to complete, McGowan said.

With the Arkansas Veterans Coalition's support, McGowan is working to increase the number of these courts in order for veterans -- no matter where they live in Arkansas -- to take advantage of their benefits. McGowan is also talking with judges in the state's 43 drug courts, urging them to start veterans courts in their circuits.

"Veterans treatment court is so much like drug court that it wouldn't increase their case load much," McGowan said. "I think more judges are willing to do it."

Veterans sentenced to the program must receive treatment at a VA treatment facility, including the state's 12 community-based outpatient clinics. Currently, one liaison with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System connects veterans enrolled in the program with their treatment. In order for the number of courts to increase, the VA would need to designate more of its staff to help with the courts, McGowan said.

The increase in veterans courts would also require more people, typically other veterans, to serve as mentors to defendants as they go through the treatment process. Don Berry, a member of the Arkansas Veterans Coalition's legislative committee, encouraged coalition members Friday to volunteer.

"We don't want a lack of mentors to halt the process," Berry said. "We want to work ahead of time to make sure the resources are in place."

Going forward, McGowan plans to talk with judges in the drug-court system, while coalition members initiate discussion with state and local officials.

"Out of our initiatives, this one has the most traction," Berry said. "It's widely supported."

Metro on 07/12/2014

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