All the way home

With the recent drawdown of troops serving in Iraq, thousands of servicemembers have begun the often-difficult transition from combat zone to home front.

This reintegration coupled with the possibility that many of these troops may be coping with "invisible wounds of war"--such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury--can contribute to the risk of an entanglement with a civilian court system.

"As an attorney, I have witnessed situations where an individual left for a deployment with no issues...they were simply stellar citizens," stated Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City. "But when they return from service, they experience trouble reintegrating into their communities, which can sometimes lead to legal complications."

Oftentimes, these problems can consist of drug and alcohol-related issues and, as Barnes notes, many veterans and their communities are not aware of the potential problems associated with a deployment until there is an altercation that places them face-to-face with law enforcement.

Barnes remarked, "These are individuals who have carried the weight of deployment on their shoulders and it is sometimes difficult for them to admit that they may have a problem.

"There is really no way for the VA to identify individuals who are having difficulties after they return...unless the veteran comes in on their own."

To help address these concerns, Barnes recently filed HB1110, legislation that would modify current state statutes pertaining to drug treatment courts. If passed, the bill would create a mechanism through which local courts can work with service providers to ensure veterans receive the treatment needed to successfully reintegrate into their communities.

With dozens of veterans' courts currently operating throughout the country, this burgeoning therapeutic model of justice generally requires the veteran to comply with a court-ordered treatment program. As is often the incentive with such a program, the client's criminal charge is expunged upon successful completion of the treatment regimen.

Failure to comply with treatment or other court requirements can lead to the imposition of increased sanctions or removal of the veteran from the program and sentencing through traditional court methods.

State Rep. David Day, R-Dixon, chair of the House Veterans Committee and a veteran of the U.S. Army, has expressed his support for the bill and his intent to help usher it through the legislative process.

"As a veteran--and with such a large number of veterans in my district--such a bill only makes sense; to serve those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf," Day stated.

"And as I've said before, these individuals are going to face a judge in one form or another...so let's make sure the meeting is as effective as possible with consideration given to the complications that may arise as a result of their service."

To view the content of HB1110, please visit Missouri House and Senate Joint Bill Tracking website at http://house.mo.gov/billcentral.aspx?pid=26.

Jeremy P. Amick is the public affairs officer for the Silver Star Families of America.