Superior Court Judge Thomas P. Larken doesn't preside over a court where lawyers attempt to prosecute those charged with felony drug issues or protect the accused. Instead, he manages the Veterans Drug Court, a sophisticated program that focuses on rehabilitation.

This specialized court is a cooperative effort that works not only with prosecutors and defense attorneys, but also with Pierce County Alliance counselors; veteran advocates from federal, state, and county entities; and volunteer mentors from the community. All work together. Even defendants in the program support each other.

A veteran who is charged with a felony related to drugs or alcohol must apply for admission into the Veteran's Drug Court program. There is a list of qualifiers, and disqualifiers, that must be satisfied before admission. Generally, there can be no history of a sex offense or a violence-related charge, and the accused must be veteran. Once accepted, the veteran has a little more than a year to complete the program, which consists of intensive counseling and support. At each step of the way, the veteran is evaluated for effort in his or her rehabilitation process. Success brings incentives for further effort and - with financial rewards and advocacy - this is where the state Veterans' Affairs office comes in.

The federal Department of Veterans' Affairs is deeply involved with claims for service-connected medical problems as well as with employment, housing, medical care and education. Thus, part of the qualification for joining the Veteran's Drug Court program is that the veteran must find employment or go to school.

After successful completion of the program, the felony charge is completely erased, as if it never happened. However, failure in the program results in the automatic maximum punishment allowed by law. Those in the program must also submit to random samplings of blood and urine. Though jail time can result with a positive drug test, dismissal from the program is not automatic, especially when there has been a strong history of success. There is flexibility built in to the program on a case-by-case basis.

The drug court offers more than a removal of a felony; it provides a new chance at life with positive skills and caring relationships. In the end, the community benefits by saving taxpayer money and having one less felon on the street.

For more information, call Pam Clouser at (253)798-2352, Jerry Minaker at (253) 502-5471, or James Bolz at (253) 798-2315.