Veterans Treatment Court Summit to Convene in Nation's Capitol

Online, July 12, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The National Association of Drug Court Professional's (NADCP) will convene the world's largest conference on addiction, mental health and the criminal justice system when they host the 17th Annual Drug Court Training Conference in July. Drug Courts reduce drug addiction, crime and recidivism while saving money for taxpayers. This year, special events will focus on Veterans Treatment Courts, a critical new court program to connect justice-involved veterans with the benefits and services they have earned. All events are open to the media and speakers are available for interview upon request.

The four-day conference event and training will take place from Sunday, July 17- Wednesday, July 20, 2011 and will host over 3,700 state and federal justice leaders, national celebrities, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, clinicians, police and probation officers, military veterans, business owners, representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court graduates and their family members. Venues include locations across the DC Metro area. All events are open to the media. Visit http://www.nadcp.org/learn/veterans-treatment-courts/training for a complete list of Veterans Treatment Court events.

On Sunday, July 17, the country's first Veterans Treatment Court Summit will be held at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Topics will include Military Cultural Competency, Domestic Violence in the Military and among Veterans, and a panel discussion on Confronting Key Issues Facing New and Existing Veterans Treatment Courts.

On Monday, July 18, special Veterans Treatment Court sessions will include: Key Components of Veterans Treatment Courts, The Veteran Target Population, Military Cultural Competency, and Federal Agency Support to Veterans Treatment Courts and justice-involved Veterans. Speakers will include the Honorable Robert Russell, presiding judge of the Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court, the first in the nation, Dr. James McGuire, Ph.D., LCSW, National Director, Veterans Health Administration Justice Programs; Allison Calabro, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and William Slemmer, Assistant Director, Veterans Employment and Training Service, U.S. Dept of Labor.

On Monday evening from 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., The "Jokes & Jazz for Vets" benefit event will feature Comedian Alonzo Bodden, winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing, and the Denny Seiwell Trio at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center. Justice For Vets, a professional services branch of NADCP, will host the benefit to support efforts to ensure veterans in the criminal justice system suffering from substance abuse and/or mental health disorders get the treatment they have earned in a Veterans Treatment Court. Advance tickets are $25, $20 with a military discount, and available at www.JusticeForVets.org or at the door for $30.

On Tuesday, July 19th, at 8:30 a.m., a rally at Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill kicks off the day as thousands of Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court professionals, program graduates, celebrities, veterans and countless other supporters and concerned citizens will rally at Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill. The rally will be lead by musician and Drug Court graduate Trey Anastasio; acclaimed actors Martin Sheen, Harry Lennix, Matthew Perry, and Melissa Fitzgerald; and a host of Congressional Leaders. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE), and Rand Paul (R-KY) are slated to attend. This event is open to the public and the media.

Following the rally will be a special session on Wounded Warriors and Rehabilitative Justice from 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Topics will include PTSD, Violence and Substance Abuse, Wounded Warrior Programs, and Treatment-based Alternatives to the Punitive Discharge.

On Wednesday, July 20th at 11 a.m., a closing keynote speech by Dr. Jill Biden (invited) will conclude the national event. Dr. Biden's remarks will focus on "Joining Forces," highlighting the White House initiative "Strengthening our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitments" and the emergence of Veterans Treatment Courts. General (ret.) Barry McCaffrey, former U.S. Drug Czar, will also address those in attendance on the importance of Drug Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts. This event is open to the media.

"Our criminal justice system has been transformed over the last two decades by dedicated Drug Court professionals who believe that a blend of accountability and compassion can, and should, be the foundation for which we handle our addicted offender population," said West Huddleston, CEO of NADCP. "Now these same professionals are forever changing the way this nation treats veterans when their invisible wounds of war lead them astray. From El Paso, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska; Orange County, California to Buffalo, New York; Drug Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts are stepping up to make certain our veterans are cared for when they need it most. Drug Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts a proven budget solutions that save money, cut crime and serve are veterans in need; they are crucial to criminal justice reform."

About National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP)

Drug Courts combine rigorous drug treatment and accountability to compel and support drug-using offenders to change their lives. After 22 years of innovation, there are now over 2,500 Drug Courts in all 50 states. Now, the Drug Court community is answering the call of duty at home to meet the needs of justice-involved veterans struggling with substance abuse and mental illness. In the country's first Veterans Treatment Courts, veterans have the opportunity to go through the treatment court process with the support of other veterans and a team of court staff that understands military culture and the specific issues with which veterans are faced. To date there are 80 Veterans Treatment Courts with dozens more being planned. Since 1994 the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), a non-profit organization 501 (c) (3) representing over 27,000 multi-disciplinary justice professionals and community leaders, has worked tirelessly at the national, state and local level to create and enhance Drug Courts. NADCP is now recognized as the experts in the field of addiction and the criminal justice system. In 2009, NADCP launched Justice For Vets: The National Clearinghouse for Veterans Treatment Courts. For more information, visit www.AllRise.org.

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Contact:
Chris Deutsch, Communications Director NADCP
202.222.8105 or [email protected]
Ryan Prucker, Imagelight
315.430.7584 or [email protected]