Veterans: Casualties of the Drug War

Today is Veterans' Day. Another year to remember the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces -and to do a better job of taking care of them when they come home.

With hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women currently deployed (often for second, third, or fourth tours) in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States faces a mounting challenge in providing care for our returning troops. It's clear that so far government agencies have not met this challenge, and the consequences have been devastating.

A new report by the Drug Policy Alliance, Healing a Broken System: Veterans Battling Addiction and Incarceration, documents some of the major obstacles that veterans face in accessing treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and, increasingly, substance abuse. As a result, far too many veterans are falling victim to the war on drugs.

After an exhaustive review of available research literature, and dozens of interviews conducted by a team of law students over a year and a half, the report found that nearly a third of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan report symptoms of PTSD, TBI, or other psychological wounds of war.

Left untreated, these medical conditions often contribute to substance abuse and addiction, fatal overdose, homelessness and suicide, as well as violations of the law, particularly nonviolent drug offenses. Over 200,000 veterans are behind bars--that we know of. Astonishingly, veterans in prison are serving longer average sentences than nonveterans for the same offenses. These data, however, are incomplete and out-of-date, collected in 2004, only one year into the Iraq War. Many more veterans in the justice system will never be identified at all.

Incarceration amplifies all the problems a veteran may be dealing with after returning from combat. Nearly two-thirds of incarcerated veterans meet the criteria for substance dependence or abuse, but in correctional facilities, these veterans are almost certain not to receive effective treatment, especially since internal policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) bars the VA from treating veterans who would otherwise be eligible for VA care while they are incarcerated. What incarcerated veterans are sure to face is a violent environment that will exacerbate their physical and mental health conditions. Many homeless veterans have been incarcerated or have criminal records that prevent them from securing housing, employment and services that are necessary for readjustment to civilian life. A jail or prison sentence, moreover, can be life-threatening for veterans, who are much more susceptible to fatal overdose and suicide during or after incarceration.

It's a sad day in America when, instead of being offered compassion and treatment, veterans struggling with substance abuse and PTSD as a result of their service are locked up for these conditions. Of course, what's happening to our veterans -- in terms of untreated addiction, incarceration and fatal overdose -is just a particularly egregious example of the cruel and pointless war on drugs, which criminalizes people who have the chronic disease of addiction instead of providing effective, community-based treatment.

The report urges local, state and federal government agencies to take immediate steps to ensure the health, safety and freedom of the men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Its recommendations include: expanding and improving alternatives to incarceration for veterans who commit nonviolent drug offenses; adopting life-saving interventions to prevent overdose among veterans who abuse substances or take prescription medications; and increasing access to medication-assisted therapies such as methadone and buprenorphine for veterans who struggle with opioid dependence.

A few states and localities are beginning to move in the right direction. Some jurisdictions are considering or have passed legislation that mandates treatment instead of incarceration for veterans with combat-related mental health or substance abuse disorders. These efforts should be accelerated and improved.

More importantly, every effort should be made to reach veterans before they enter the justice system. This means the Department of Defense and VA must improve screening and treatment, and remove barriers to accessing needed services. It also means that local law enforcement should be trained to identify veterans in crisis and divert these veterans to needed services instead of arresting them.

In pursuing these goals, we can begin replacing the failed war on drugs at home with public health approaches that save lives, improve wellbeing, and build stronger families and communities. The veterans of our foreign wars deserve no less; indeed, they deserve a great deal more.

Note: The report will also be discussed at the International Drug Policy Reform conference in New Mexico, November 12-14.

 

Comments

[Bogstomper]

This is another problem that we could begin alleviating by immediately legalizing marijuana. First, it takes the pressure off some of our suffering veterans. Second, it could bring in a substantial amount of money. Let's dedicate that money to providing the best care for our veterans. It's a voluntary "sin tax" with a noble goal, a winning situation for everyone.

[Notrepublicrat]

But wait - what about all the prosecutors, cops and prison guards that will either lose their jobs or have to go up against killers and rapists?

Won't somebody please show some concern for these public servants (sic), who might not be able to get huge salaries for busting poor kids for drugs?

[iblogleft]

Thank you for bringing this issue to the public. So much needs to be done.

Here is an article that shows promising results using cannabinoids to treat PTSD.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1256799094722&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

[nolabels]

Thank you for your efforts.

As Oliver Stone said on Bill Maher a couple of months ago, "It was those who did drugs during Vietnam who retained their humanity."

[SpringDoc]

Thanks for your thoughts and understanding of this issue. There are so many Veterans that need help with PTSD. The Vet Centers are helpful for many, but inconsistently staffed acrossed the nation to be able to fully deal with the deep seeded trauma. The Vet Centers that are fully staffed with quality counselors are doing terrific work.
Along with your understanding and explanation of this issue, there's another related problem not getting attention. The children affected by the disconnected Veteran are at risk for secondary PTSD. This is recognized by care-givers, but not yet being addressed, as the signs and symptoms have not yet been identified. So really, the trauma of war doesn't just stop when the Veteran dies, it continues into the next generation. Of course this is not something republicans or the corporate minded types give a crap about, is it.
Does anyone know if Max Cleland has ever received a Congressional Medal of Honor, for all of his work on behalf of Veterans? Most significant is the Veteran Outreach Centers? He should have gotten such recognition. Thanks Max.

[TheThoughtCriminal]

EDIT
"I have understood for a long time that we live under a corrupt system,..."

[ezeflyer]

Conservatives screwing vets.

[TheThoughtCriminal]

I am surprised and saddened that nobody else has cared enough to comment on this. I don't think that most people understand what PTSD is actually like. I suffered from severe PTSD for 2 years, and quite frankly, I am lucky to be alive. During that time, all I could think about were the ultimate extremes of human suffering and death. I felt as though I had peered into the land of the eternal scream, and I was not sure I would ever fully recover. I was lucky enough to have doctors that were willing to prescribe drugs that many are forced to obtain illegally. I didn't feel I had any choice in the matter. I simply couldn't stand the pain. It was going to be either drugs or suicide. If I had not been prescribed these drugs, I surely would have resorted to illegal measures. If I had been caught and incarcerated for possession, I probably would have killed myself. The fact that we are putting veterans in prison for self-medicating after incurring severe physical and psychological wounds while serving to defend this country is monstrous. I have understood for a long time that we do not live under a corrupt system, but this is too much. I believe the prosecutors and judges who put these men in prison deserve to be held accountable. Their names should be made public. This cannot stand.