Kerry and Patrick Kennedy speak of bill to treat veterans with drug problems rather than jail them

[karynnj]

NEW BEDFORD — U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry and U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy used New Bedford District Court as a backdrop Monday to announce legislation that would create drug courts across the country similar to New Bedford's program.

Joined by local politicians, judges and veterans advocates, the Massachusetts senator and Rhode Island congressman said the Services, Education and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act will help servicemen and women receive treatment, rather than incarceration, for drug abuse struggles.

"The warrior still faces certain challenges when they return home," said Kerry, noting a study last year that found that one in six veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan struggles with substance abuse.

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"This is the most effective way of dealing with the problem and having America keep faith with those who served their country," Kerry said.

"It is crystal clear that we don't do enough to help our veterans break free from drug addiction," Kennedy said. "Rehabilitating our veterans is not only the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do."

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090428/NEWS/904280332

It looks like neither the BG or BH covered this unless my searches failed - I guess doing something like that might make people know he was in Massachusetts and give people less to complain about.