Page 25 - Scene Magazine 43-11 October 2018
P. 25

Veterans Issue
Veterans Treatment Court – Specialty Courts work!
BY TRACIE TOMAK
The Calhoun County District Court is home to a Veterans Treat- ment Court. This is known as a “Spe- cialty Court.” The District Court has two specialty
courts – Veterans Treatment Court and Sobriety Court. I was fortunate enough to sit on the Executive Board and develop- ment team for the Sobriety Court and saw firsthand how the program changes lives. I believe it is time to create more special- ty courts in the District Court to continue to creatively, and with a treatment-based philosophy, help our citizens who have underlying substance abuse problems.
The Veterans Treatment Court is unique in that it centers on the issues specifically facing our vets. As some- one who did not serve in the military, I have the absolute highest respect for anyone who has served in any capacity. I have also worked directly with Vet- erans at the Battle Creek VA Hospital when vets become hospitalized against their will. I have seen the effects of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) up close and personal, and I know we need to do more.
Understanding the purpose behind specialty courts is a new twist on the “punishment” phase of the legal system. Historically, if you were proven to have committed a misdemeanor crime, the District Court Judge would determine your punishment from a short list of op- tions: fines and costs; probation; and/or a term of jail. Specialty, or treatment, courts were developed to help people overcome the underlying obstacles to ensure they would have success outside of the legal system.
Our Veterans Treatment Court promotes sobriety, recovery, and sta- bility through a coordinated response that involves cooperation and collabo- ration with community and state-wide partners.
Calhoun County also offers a Men- tal Health Treatment Court through our Probate Court, with many similarities to the other specialty courts. This program differs in that the participant must be
diagnosed with a severe mental illness, developmental disability, and co-occur- ring substance abuse disorder.
In the Circuit Court, the first special- ty court developed was the Drug Court. Now, Women’s Drug Court and Men’s Drug Court lead the way for individuals charged with felony drug crimes. Under the Drug Court program, charges can be ultimately reduced or dismissed upon successful completion of the program. An attorney in my law office sits on the review board for the Women’s Drug Court. We, as a group, have volunteered hundreds of hours between the Sobriety Court and Drug Court programs, com- bined. Small stipends are now offered for the Defense Attorney’s who work with the programs.
But what about first-time drug of- fenders? Calhoun County does not have a program to help people when they need it the very most. I believe that the best chance to help someone is before
they have reached the felony drug crime level. I have outlined a District Court, or Misdemeanor, Drug Court as my top priority should I be elected on Novem- ber 6, 2018, to our 10th District Court. I have seen the ripple effect of destruc- tion to individuals, their families, their children, loss of employment and loss of housing when drugs overtake their lives. I am dedicated to doing the hard work to establish more specialty courts within Calhoun County to continue to help our fellow citizens and change lives.
We have much to celebrate about our existing programs, and a long way to go to continue the creative approach to help people.
How can you help? The Veterans Treatment Court is always seeking men- tors for the current participants. If you are a Veteran and would like to volun- teer, you can visit the Calhoun County Veterans Treatment Court webpage for an application.
VOTE NOVEMBER 6th
Tracie Tomak
Our Next 10th District Judge
• The RIGHT Experience
• The common sense choice for the PEOPLE of Calhoun
County
• Trusted, Fair, & Balanced Temperament
• Ready to serve us, NOT the politicians
Paid for by Tracie Tomak for District Judge 601 S Shore Dr #329 Battle Creek MI 49014
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