KINGMAN, Ariz. – Kingman City Magistrate for 11 years, Judge Jeffrey A. Singer, started Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) December 9, 2015. A program to help veterans struggling from substance abuse and/or mental health issues, its recidivism rate is less than five percent.
Judge Singer said in 2015 when he was hired by the City of Kingman, then Mayor Richard Anderson suggested Singer start a VTC based on the success of the one in Lake Havasu.
“I know the mayor had conversations with Pat Farrell at the Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council (JAVC) about the need for a Vet Court in Kingman,” Judge Singer stated, “but it was really the mayor and the city council at the time back in 2015 who were pushing for it after seeing the success that was occurring down in Lake Havasu with their VTC.”
To date, Singer said 139 veterans have successfully graduated from VTC after meeting all requirements.
Those requirements include counseling, random urinalysis testing, reporting to a probation officer, making regular court appearances and participating in numerous events throughout their journey.
That journey can last six months up to 24 months, depending on how motivated a participant is to complete it.
Judge Singer said he deems the program extremely successful because there is a less than five percent recidivism rate, which means a majority of the participants do not go back to their former lifestyle.
The VTC is the court system’s way of giving back to the veterans who sacrificed so much for our country, he said.
“Sometimes the veterans just need a second chance when they’re transitioning from military to civilian life.”
Judge Singer said he had two older brothers, both former Marines, who had succumbed to drug addiction after being discharged from service. He said their drug addiction took both their lives, and that drug addiction is a frequent problem for veterans after being discharged from the military.
“There’s nothing I can do for my brothers at this point,” Judge Singer stated. ” However, if I can help it so that other families don’t have to go through what my family has had to twice, then that’s what motivates me in this program.”
The VTC is a program that offers treatment instead of incarceration for substance abuse or mental health issues. They meet twice a month at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Kingman Municipal Court building.
Judge Singer said the VTC has mentor programs where veterans complete specialized training and are assigned as mentors to other participants in the VTC program. They serve as an ally and resource for their assigned veteran, he said, as they progress through the program.
The court also hosts a Veterans Resource team meeting and luncheon once a month. At this luncheon, representatives from the community discuss various resources available to all veterans present, whether in the VTC program or not.
Our motto, Judge Singer said, is “Leave No Veteran Behind.”
“I can honestly say this is the most rewarding endeavor I have ever been a part of during my entire legal career.”
For more information about the Kingman Veterans Treatment Court, call 928-753-8193.
