Buffalo Veterans Drug Treatment Court

The Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program is designed to assist states, state courts, local courts, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments in developing and establishing drug courts for substance-abusing adult and juvenile offenders. Drug court programs funded by the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program are required by law to target nonviolent offenders. The program supports the following activities: adult drug court implementation, single jurisdiction drug court enhancement, statewide drug court enhancement, and planning efforts.

The Buffalo Veterans Drug Treatment Court (BVDTC), recognized as the nation's first drug treatment court specifically developed for veterans, will use fiscal year 2009 grant funding to: support the salaries of a case management team, consisting of two full time health care professionals who will provide timely access to alcohol and mental health services to increase the likelihood of successful rehabilitation; provide training to the BVDTC team and other stakeholders based on the needs of veterans; and evaluate the effectiveness of services provided. Efforts will be coordinated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system and community providers. The synchronized approach will provide access to a blended set of mental health and substance abuse services that cross federal, state, private and public systems using a phased approach that includes sequenced interventions focusing on screening, orientation, intensive treatment, relapse prevention, improved life skills, and transition. Navigation through the VA service system will also be provided. It is estimated that more than 150 veterans will receive these essential services through the grant period.

CA/NCF