When veteran Robert Wiese got arrested for a DUI after his \u201cwelcome home\u201d celebration, he was embarrassed and ashamed. \u201cInstead of using good judgment and using the ride I\u2019d already established, I chose to drive, which was a poor decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Robert\u2019s drunk driving offense was handled by the\u00a0Yellowstone County\u00a0Veterans Treatment Court in Montana. Based on the Drug Court model, Veterans Treatment Courts<\/a> help veterans with alcohol- or drug-related crimes get their lives back on track.<\/p>\n The need for these courts is great. In 2006, 1.8 million veterans<\/a> met the criteria for having a substance abuse disorder, and according to Justice for Vets<\/a>, one in six veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom suffers from a substance abuse issue<\/a>. Unfortunately, veterans with drug and alcohol issues are more likely to become involved with the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing involved with the Vet Court system has changed my life,\u201d said Robert. \u201cIt reiterated the idea that I can reach out for help, that there\u2019s people out there, that I\u2019m not alone in this situation. The experience with the Vet Court, it\u2019s been something I never would have fathomed before. It has allowed me the opportunity to be with other vets, to talk with other vets, to use our experiences for the better.\u201d<\/p>\n As part of his court supervision, Robert was required to wear a SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring<\/a> bracelet for 100 days, and he\u2019s grateful for it. \u201cIt keeps you accountable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n This December, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals will host the Veterans Treatment Court Conference,<\/a> the nation\u2019s first conference dedicated to specialty courts for veterans. Watch the video below to see some of the stories we\u2019ll be sharing at the conference\u00a0about veterans who achieved sobriety and are moving forward thanks to Veterans Courts.<\/p>\nHear more stories at historic conference<\/h3>\n