Veterans Treatment Court salutes graduate

The Hawaii Veterans Treatment Court of the 3rd Circuit celebrated its first graduate Monday.

The courtroom was filled with supporters of the military veteran, Paris Marques, who completed the intensive program in one year.

“I want to thank our graduate and the other Veterans Treatment Court participants for their service to our country, and for their commitment to this program,” said Hawaii Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. “Your faith in the program, and your commitment to succeeding in it, has helped to prove its worth, and has opened doors for many others who will be able to benefit from it in the future.”

Six veterans are now enrolled in the Hilo and Kona Veterans Treatment Courts since the program’s inception in November 2014. The court continues to grow as an increasing number of attorneys submit applications for their clients to participate in the program.

The defendants selected to participate in Veterans Treatment Court are military veterans who have experienced adjustment difficulties such as mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse.

The court takes a holistic approach to help provide the resources and treatment these veterans need to get healthy and employed and return to being law-abiding citizens so they can enjoy the freedoms they fought to protect. Each veteran has undergone extensive treatment and counseling, which includes frequent urinalysis, meetings with probation officers and court appearances. Many services were provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at no cost to the state.

The defendants also are paired with volunteer veteran mentors, who have an understanding of the difficulties these men and women are facing and help support them through the process of recovery.

The program also assists graduates with finding housing and employment. Graduation celebrates their success in achieving a clean and sober lifestyle and the opportunity for a successful future.