CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

EDITORIAL: Veterans deserve special treatment programs

Marin Independent Journal - 7/18/2021

Jul. 18—Veterans facing charges for drug offenses are getting a helping hand from our county court.

Led by Superior Court Judge Roy Chernus, Marin court is now offering a special "drug court" for those who have served in our country's military — steering them to special treatment programs.

The new court — part of Marin's justice system's efforts to focus on restorative programs and ending recidivism — can lead offenders to treatment programs for service-related issues such as post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression and high anxiety that can often lead to substance abuse, domestic violence or homelessness.

"You take care of the people who have taken care of you," says Chernus, who admits that Marin is "kind of late" in launching the program that is already in place in San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa counties.

Late or not, it is an important measure toward getting help to people who need it; the level of help they would not get behind bars.

And the promise of steering them away from jail or prison terms if they start and stay on a path of getting help and treatment is an important incentive.

Keeping them on that path will be a court-appointed team of representatives from the district attorney's and public defender's office, the Sheriff's Office, the probation department and the Marin County Veterans Services Office that will regularly review defendants' compliance and progress.

Focusing those defendants into a special court process makes it easier to connect them to local, state and federal services that could help them.

Success is not only diversion from criminal activity, but they could have their charges dismissed or, possibly, their arrest record sealed, says Chernus.

There are also penalties of veering from the path dictated by the treatment court, including increased therapy, community service or spending weekends in jail.

What is obvious is that there is a better way to address the needs of these men and women and the possible root causes linked to their military service.

In some cases, veterans have trouble assimilating back into civilian life or sustaining relationships. Both can create a pathway for criminal behavior and a cycle of repeat offenses and incarceration.

Chernus is right, society needs to take care of those who have served — those who, in many cases, risked their lives in the defense of others.

Marin's new veterans drug court is a way to meet society's responsibility. Late or not, the new court, for many defendants, may be a smarter and more effective approach in both administering justice and ensuring public safety.

___

(c)2021 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.)

Visit The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.) at www.marinij.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.