On November 8, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office announced that the county has secured a federal grant totaling $851,663 from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance to establish a veterans treatment court within Judicial District 19B. This initiative is aimed at addressing criminal cases involving veterans struggling with substance abuse or mental health disorders.
The grant will fund the planning and implementation of the veterans treatment court for 36 months, starting on December 1, with the possibility of additional funding for continuation beyond the initial period.
Veterans treatment courts are designed to offer a comprehensive approach, combining intensive treatment programs with personal accountability to help individuals overcome drug use and break the cycle of criminal behavior. Modeled after successful drug courts, these specialized courts focus on the unique needs of veterans and active-duty military personnel facing criminal charges.
Under the jurisdiction of the District Attorney’s Office, qualified participants will undergo a program lasting up to two years, with the option for extension if deemed necessary. It is estimated that the court will serve approximately 80 individuals annually, based on information provided to the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Collaboration among various agencies and organizations, including District Court judges, the Randolph County Clerk of Court, N.C. Division Community Corrections, Randolph County Veterans Services, local defense attorneys, and mental and behavioral health providers, has been crucial in establishing the necessary processes and procedures for the veterans treatment court.
The court, which is set to be presided over by District Judge Robert M. Wilkins and District Attorney Andrew Gregson, both veterans themselves, will also involve the support of N.C. Probation and Parole as well as mentor volunteers.
Randolph County, home to over 8,000 veterans, sees this initiative as a crucial step in addressing the unique challenges faced by the nearly 6% of the county’s population who have served in the military. The announcement highlights a concerning statistic that 67 veterans have been arrested and placed in the Randolph County Detention Center so far in 2023.
Furthermore, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that one in 10 veterans has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, often stemming from military experiences, contributing to elevated levels of suicide risk and homelessness among veterans.
Recognizing the importance of supporting veterans, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment to accept the grant funding, establish a new temporary, grant-funded position for a veterans treatment court coordinator, and cover the remaining seven months of the fiscal year through June 30.
