ACCORDING TO THE U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), approximately 5 million men and women have voluntarily served our country in uniform since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Roughly three-quarters of post 9/11 veterans were deployed at least once overseas in support of the Global War on Terror, many having endured multiple deployments; and 11-20 percent of those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq have a prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a given year.
Returning home for our service members becomes more and more challenging with each deployment. And just as our veterans sometimes struggle to acclimate back into our communities, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and probation officers - many of whom are veterans themselves - are increasingly encountering veterans who either did not get the help they needed during their transition to civilian life or have struggled in the weeks, and months, and even years since separating from the military.
Those struggling to cope often find themselves in a vicious cycle of substance abuse (in many cases linked to the very opioids prescribed to them to overcome pain from injuries sustained while deployed) and mental illness that renders them unemployed, homeless, and ultimately incarcerated for a variety of crimes.
This workshop highlights Hamilton County, Ohio, where local law enforcement, along with the jail and the veterans treatment court, are working together to assist veterans who are struggling to deal with their transition to civilian life. Too many of these veterans, because they “self-medicate” with drugs or alcohol, find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system. Our panel seeks to share their approach by collaborating within their local system to improve public safety, reduce recidivism, achieve their reentry goals, as well as try to restore the lives of those that have served our country.