Troubled Iraq War Vets Suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2, 2006 CONTACT: Tony Newman, (646) 335-5384, Tommy McDonald (646) 335-2242 Troubled Iraq War Vets Suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Denied Treatment by the VA due to Past Transgressions More than 1 in 3 Returning from Iraq Seeking Help for Mental Heath Problems, According to US Army Report Drug Policy Alliance to Congress: Support our Troops! Offer Compassion and Treatment, Not a Jail Cell to Veterans who Self-medicate with Drugs A November 2 front page story in USA Today reported that Iraq War veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder are being punished for misconduct and dismissed from the military without receiving medical benefits needed to treat the disorder. Lt. Col. Colby Vokey, who supervises the legal defense of Marines, told USA Today that scores of Marines are being dismissed without receiving much-needed benefits. “When classic symptoms of post-tramatic stress disorder arise—including alcoholoism and drug abuse—the veterans are punished for their behavior… The Marine Corps has created these mental health issues” in combat veterans, Vokey told USA Today. “And then we just kind of kick them out into the streets.” Substance abuse experts and veterans groups warn that soldiers dealing with such problems are known to have higher rates of substance abuse problems. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 76 percent of veterans experience alcohol, drug, or mental health problems. The Drug Policy Alliance, a national organization that advocates for a public health approach to dealing with drugs and drug misuse, urges compassion and treatment for the veterans who self-medicate with drugs because of the trauma of war. “It is easy for people to buy a bumper sticker and demand that we ‘Support the Troops,’ but if we are going to walk the talk, we better offer treatment—not a jail cell—when we help our brothers and sisters heal from the damages of war,” said Tony Newman of the Drug Policy Alliance. “U.S. prisons are already filled with nonviolent drug law offenders, many serving long sentences for small amounts of drugs. Service members who are incarcerated and separated from their families because of a drug addition will be yet more ‘collateral damage’ of this war.” The Drug Policy Alliance advocates for treatment instead of incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders and hopes that legislators will take this opportunity to promote treatment and assistance for vets who are struggling with addiction problems. Bill Piper, national affairs director of the Drug Policy Alliance plans to advance legislation in 2007 that would offer substance abuse treatment instead of jail for veterans. “No matter who controls the House and Senate, whether you are Republican or Democrat, pro- or anti-war, we all need to offer compassion and assistance to our soldiers who are suffering due to fighting in this war,” Piper said.