we have classes to help them learn mechanics, culinary classes and fresh start. we want to help them once they leave here on to whatever they re going to do once they leave. in 2004, the r.i.d.e. program was started to reduce the number of repeat offenders. we started a program called r.i.d.e. that stands for rikers island discharge enhancement. under the umbrella of r.i.d.e., we have a lot of components to help them with sobriety, housing and employment. we want to link them up while they re here doing their sentence, so when they get out, they go to meaningful jobs and substance abuse programs and have a place to stay. my sentence is a year. i ve been here eight months. it has helped me because when i get out, i have something to fall back on. i want to stop using drugs, i have a drug program to go to, treatment plan. i m going to continue school and stuff. it helped me a lot.
more of these kinds of efforts. we owe a special debt to the men and women in our armed forces many of whom develop illnesses, whether they are physical or emotional, and they have difficulties sometimes transitioning back into the civilian sector. my friend ari melburn was that the week s graduation and joins me here on set. ari, thank you so much for being here. sure. talk about veterans courts. what are they and how are they working? you have about 140,000 vets in prison. 60% have substance abuse programs. a big portion of this is private drug or alcohol abuse and not other more dangerous criminal activity. there are over 100 courts like this at the state level and the one i visited with the attorney
want. i m here to help them, not to beat them down or tell them this is the end of your life. we have classes to help them learn mechanics, culinary classes and fresh start. we just want to help them once they leave here on to whatever they re going to do once they leave. in 2004, the ride program was started to reduce the number of repeat offenders. under the umbrella of ride, we have a lot of components to help them with sobriety, housing and so when they come out they go to meaningful jobs, substance abuse programs and stay out of here. it s affect meg good because when i get out, i have something to fall back on. i do want to stop using drugs, so i have a drug treatment plan. i m going to continue school and stuff. it helps me a lot.
i mean attendance records. i ve only been here 13 years. i m talking attendance records. i ll put might 13 years up against anybody else in this chamber. thank you. thank you. counselor filion? mr. mayor, in the past, you ve voted against and spoken against board of health substance abuse programs and in a tv interview that was from some years ago that was reaired last week, your advice for how to deal with people who had smoked crack was give them a gun. have events, recent events taught you anything about understanding and compassion? you re going to have to refresh my memory on which program, we ve had many debates about addiction in this council
i ve been here a long time. no, no. i mean attendance records. i m not talking years. i ve only been here 13 years. i m talking attendance records in my 13 years. i ll put my 13 years up against anybody else in this chamber. thank you. thank you. mr. mayor, in the past you voted against and have spoken against substance abuse programs. in a tv interview from some years ago that was reaired last week, you your advice for how to deal with people who smoked crack was give them a gun. have events, recent events taught you anything about understanding and compassion? you re going to have to refresh my memory on which program. we ve had many debates about