AUGUSTA, Maine — Rep. Robert Saucier (D-Presque Isle) is sponsoring a bill to expand a successful veterans treatment court program to other areas of the state.
The Veterans Treatment Court currently operates only in Kennebec County even though it is technically open to any newly returned veteran in the state. The bill would provide a stable source of funding for a judge to travel to different courts in other Maine counties and hear veterans’ cases.
“Veterans who are experiencing a hard time transitioning back into civilian life from wartime often come back home with very serious mental difficulties such as PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders,” said Saucier, a co-sponsor of the bill. “Some veterans resort to drugs and drug related crimes. The Veterans Treatment Court will allow veterans to have a second chance. After all, they have put their lives on the line so we could continue our normal lives.”
The veterans court program takes a team approach to dealing with veterans who commit crimes or become addicted to drugs.
Defendants must plead guilty, and follow a court-ordered treatment plan to the letter. In addition, they must take multiple drug tests, undergo counseling, file reports and receive mentoring from their fellow veterans.
“This program has been needed for a long time and well worth the investment to help our returning veterans,” said Saucier.
In September, two Iraqi war veterans graduated from the program after agreeing to substance abuse treatment, mentoring, continuing educational opportunities and reporting to the court.
Saucier, a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents part of Presque Isle. He has an extensive background in the military, with four years active duty in the United States Air Force and 24 years with the Maine Army National Guard. Saucier is a retired officer with the Maine Army National Guard and former Commander of C Battery in Fort Kent and former commander of Headquarters Battery in Caribou.
