Tulsa, OK

Last week Mayor Kathy Taylor joined local justice officials and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to launch Veterans Treatment Court in Tulsa County.

Veterans Treatment Court will be a specialized docket within the Tulsa County Drug Court, targeting veterans charged with non-violent felony offenses. The initial docket launched December 8.

The mayor’s office, the courts and the Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration are collaborating in this effort to address the needs of military veterans who are struggling with alcohol or drugs to deal with the aftermath of combat.

According to the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Veterans of Modern Warfare, nearly 20 percent of military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, or other combat-related issues and turn to alcohol or drugs to cope. All too often they wind up in the criminal justice system.

“With 158 veterans arrested in Tulsa County during the month of October, there is clearly a need for this new therapeutic court,” said Tulsa County Special Judge Sarah Smith. “The Veterans Treatment Court offers a unique partnership between the Veterans Administration, the court system and other veterans’ organizations to provide treatment, compassion and hope to the men and women who served our country and are struggling in the criminal justice system.”

“Veterans Court came together because of a great partnership,” said Mayor Taylor. “VA Medical Center Director Adam Walmus, Judge Sarah Smith, the Tulsa County Drug Court Team, and our office represented by the Mayor’s Liaison for Veterans Affairs Matt Stiner all united to make it a reality. Also, the Veterans Advisory Council worked over the past few months with service officers and veterans’ organizations to bring all of these groups together. Everyone involved deserves our thanks in developing a court that will serve those who served our country,” the mayor added.

The Veterans Court partnership is the latest of many veterans’ initiatives created by the mayor’s office under Taylor, including:

• A Veterans Advisory Council to help improve services to Tulsa-area veterans and active-duty military personnel.
• A Military and Veterans Resource Lounge at Tulsa International Airport.
• Help on the Home Front program.
• Collaboration with Tulsa Community College (TCC) to create the TCC Military and Veterans Resource Center and Lounge at the Metro Campus.
• Veterans Work Force Investment Program to provide classes and workshops, on the job training, and assistance with job placement.
• Launching Operation Patriot Watch in which the Tulsa Police Department and 9-1-1 dispatch keep watch on the homes of active military personnel who request it.

Information on these programs can be found online.