They live by the credo, “leave no Veteran behind.” These are not mere words. These are actions not on the battlefields, but in everyday life, where their fellow veterans – who vowed to fight for our nation – often struggle to survive.
These solemn words are part of the Volunteer Veteran Mentor’s Oath and represent the mission of the Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court (DCVTC). In DCVTC, veterans battle for sobriety, while facing criminal charges that could result in their own loss of freedom; let alone their lives. The target population for the program is military veterans, who have been charged with a felony offense(s) and who are diagnosed with substance use and/or mental health issues. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 11% of US Military veterans meet the criteria for substance abuse disorder.
Established in 2016, the DCVTC strives to honor the service of justice-involved veterans by providing a rehabilitative program that combines intensive judicial supervision and treatment services to address their experiences related to their service to our country.
At the same time – and at a significantly lesser cost – DCVTC enhances public safety by returning law-abiding and productive citizens to the community, according to Chris McMahon, Douglas County Deputy Attorney and Assistant Prosecutor for the DCVTC.
An alternative to the traditional criminal justice system, the 18- to 24-month program provides support and rehabilitation. Under court supervision, comprehensive substance use treatment and/or mental health treatment, education, employment, vocational programs, and community resource referrals for housing, childcare and transportation are resources they can access.
In fact, DCVTC promotes public safety through the collaborative effort of its VTC team, according to Rob Owens, MS, Problem Solving Court Coordinator.
“We partner with the local VA medical center, as well as a variety of other providers in the community, to ensure each participant is assessed for the unique needs as veterans and offered the benefits, treatment, and services that they have earned.
“We establish individualized treatment plans and provide participants with the tools necessary for successful community reengagement. Our mission is to break the revolving door cycle among our justice-involved veterans,” he said.
While one can’t put a price on life-saving or rehabilitating efforts, the Nebraska Supreme Court website compares the operational costs of treatment court from $2,500 per person, per year, versus more than $40,000 for incarceration.
Based on a national model, the DCVTC was first implemented by Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine, whose office was instrumental in providing second chance opportunities through its problem-solving and diversion programs, Owens said.
It takes cohesive maneuvering and commitment and trust – structured much like the military – for it to succeed.
Leading the charge are Rob MacTaggart, chief prosecutor and veteran, currently serving as a U.S. Army Reserve JAG officer, and William Harry, chief defense counsel. In this court, defense and prosecution work closely together to ensure success, according to McMahon.
He is flanked by an extensive collaboration between the criminal justice system (judge, prosecutor, defense lawyer) and dedicated partners, mentors, mental health specialists, and addiction specialists. This also includes criminal justice, local and federal veterans organizations and agencies, according to its web site.
The treatment program requires participants to enter a plea before the court, but sentencing will be withheld while the veteran participates in the program.
“If the participant graduates, DCVTC shall dismiss, or in the case of a DUI referral, reduce charges. If the participant fails to graduate for any reason, then the sentencing portion of the plea will be executed and the participant sentenced in the normal course,” the program notes.
The motto of the court is “Honor Restored.” Once they complete the program, their felony charge is dismissed, and their record is sealed.
Since the DCVTC’s inception, 100 veterans have entered the program, with 58 completing graduation. The five most recent graduates participated in a ceremony held recently at the Legislative Chambers of the Omaha-Douglas County Civic Center. Keynote speaker, Congressman Don Bacon – a decorated veteran himself – applauded them for their personal commitments and service to our nation.
The event was presided over by the Honorable Judge Horacio Wheelock, with remarks by Kleine, Douglas County Public Defender Thomas C. Riley, Owens, and others instrumental in the rehabilitation of participants, concluding with the eagerly anticipated dismissal or reduction of charges.
There are fail-safe procedures in place. If participants don’t pass the first time or have a repeat incident, they can retake the course.
“We have had people fail the program, although that is rare,” McMahon said. “We work very closely with every participant and give them the help they need to succeed the first time. We would rather take the time to get it right, make sure everything ‘takes’ than hurry someone through and set them up for failure.”
Though, statistically, he noted, veteran treatment courts have better outcomes than an average treatment court.
“I believe some of that is because of their military background and the camaraderie they develop with other members,” said McMahon, an army veteran himself, who has seen first hand the effects of PTSD.
“I know how important it is to treat the underlying trauma if you are trying to correct long-term behaviors,” he said.
Reason being, treatment courts are rehabilitative rather than punitive.
“When appropriate, a treatment court is able to provide a superior outcome to a traditional court. They provide better corrective action to address underlying issues and prevent long-term recidivism. [Plus], they are far less expensive to taxpayers than incarceration. They promote sobriety and mental health treatments,” he said.
As to why these veterans turn to drugs or grapple with addiction, McMahon continues, “Most of the participants have either a co-occurring disorder or have a substance abuse disorder, but that is not a requirement for admission into VTC. There really is no set common thread for all participants. Everyone has their own story, and we accommodate their treatment plan to fit their needs.”
Among the biggest problems are alcohol and meth, “but we have seen everything,” he added.
With more public awareness, the greater the impact they can make. “As the word gets out that this program exists, the numbers have risen. However, there is a limit simply due to the military requirement. On average, only 7 percent of U.S. citizens have a military service background,” he said.
Besides seeking treatment, another issue is actually getting to the treatment.
McMahon explains that “Transportation is always the biggest challenge that we face.” The program provides bus passes for participants, but bus schedules don’t always coincide with participants’ schedules.
McMahon sees more building to do for the future of DCVTC: “We provide tremendous structure during the program. They have a built-in support group, and we have amazing staff, probation officers, public and private institutions for support. Once they graduate, much of this goes away. I would love to see more long-term support structures for alumni of the program. We are working on this.”
The alumni do have a mentor or support group to fall back on, and McMahon says that they are in the process of putting together an alumni program that “would be greatly beneficial for graduates who need support without court involvement.”
DCVTC understands that it’s not easy to go at treatment alone. The program encourages family members and friends to take part in their loved one’s recovery. Better social support can greatly increase one’s chances towards success.
McMahon does recognize, however, that “many of our participants lack this, which can be a factor in what brought them to us in the first place. We work to provide those supports.”
Currently the program is only available in three court districts in four counties, which include Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Kearney.
Original source can be found here.
