AUGUSTA — Advocates for military veterans on Friday celebrated a new law that establishes a special court and treatment outreach for veterans.

The bill creates a treatment court for veterans suffering from drug addiction and mental illness. It was enacted unanimously by the Maine House and Senate and signed by Gov. Paul LePage earlier this week. 

Rep. Maeghan Maloney, D-Augusta, sponsored the bipartisan measure, along with Rep. David Cotta, R-China. Maloney presented it in memory of Justin Crowley-Smilek of Farmington, a decorated ex-Army Ranger who was shot and killed by a Farmington police officer when the veteran confronted the officer with a knife.

Crowley-Smilek had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and had been in and out of court for years. The last time was only one day before he died.

Lorna Smilek, Crowley-Smilek’s stepmother, testified in support of the bill in January, saying her stepson would still be alive if a veterans court had been in place when he returned home from Afghanistan. 

Ruth Crowley, Justin’s mother, flew from Oregon to attend the press event. Crowley’s voice shook as she read from her prepared remarks.

“I would give anything to have my son back, but I take comfort in knowing that while that can never be possible, his death has helped pave the way toward hope and possibility for veterans suffering from PTSD and other war-related illnesses,” she said.

She added, “Through all of his struggles, Justin never lost his dream to make a positive difference in this world. Today, thank you all, because that dream has come to reality.”

Michael Smilek, Justin’s father, said the new law would help veterans who were “unable to shut off their military training” once they returned home. He said the bill would allow veterans to receive the treatment they needed “without being plagued by the constant horrors of war.”

Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty said veterans courts work. Kennebec County has already been screening for veterans who make their way into the court system. Pulling together a bloc of veterans, Liberty said, allows law enforcement to collaborate with veteran services providers to introduce defendants to programs designed to help them with drug addiction and PTSD. 

The new Maine law works by screening veterans who enter the court system. The veterans are asked whether they would like to appear on the same court docket as other veterans. At that time, the courts will coordinate with administrators at the Togus Veterans Affairs office to let veterans know about treatment programs. 

Advocates of the treatment courts believe that many veterans aren’t aware of the programs available to them. 

Donald Simoneau of Livermore Falls is the department commander of the American Legion. “If we help one veteran, it’s great. If we help 10 veterans, it’s fantastic. How many do we know that are out there? We can’t see their wounds, but now we have a vehicle to help mend those wounds,” Simoneau said. 

Veterans lined up to back the measure.

“If you do this, you’re going to change lives,” Lewiston lawyer and veteran John Whalen said during the public hearing earlier this year.

Buffalo, N.Y., was first in the country to establish a veterans court. There are now 88 across the country. 

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