5 Veterans To Graduate Cobb Courts Program

MARIETTA, GA — Five U.S. military veterans are scheduled to graduate from a special treatment program set up by the Cobb County court system.

The Cobb County Veterans Treatment Court started in 2014 as part of a nationwide effort tailored toward veterans dealing with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other mental health issues. As an alternative to more traditional sentences, the court provides counseling, job training and other services for vets who end up in the court system.

The five veterans graduating on July 13 will bring the total of local participants who have completed the intensive, 18-month program to 27.

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The Veterans Treatment Court's mission is to increase public safety by reducing recidivism, keep law-breaking veterans out of jail and prison and help them become productive citizens. It aims to "offer the familiarity of structure and accountability, similar to what they encountered during military service," according to the county.

"On average, one veteran is arrested daily in Cobb County,: VTC presiding Judge Reuben Green said in a news release. "Many of these veterans have sacrificed greatly for our country and are suffering from post-service issues that have not been addressed or treated."

An estimated 774,464 veterans live in Georgia, with 47,000 of them living in Cobb County. Locally, 4,500 active duty military members and reservists are assigned to Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

According to data collected from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, nationwide over 39 veterans attempt to commit suicide daily and 20 a day take their lives. Approximately 70 percent of veterans who took their own lives did not access services provided by the VA which could have possibly prevented the suicides.

In conjunction with the Atlanta Veterans Administration, Cobb County VTC participants receive alcohol and drug treatment in Decatur and are given additional treatment locally via WestCare on Roswell Street. When a participant is stable in their recovery and treatment, the assigned VTC team addresses other issues which hinder an enrollee’s success, such as unemployment, lack of stable housing, the need for continuing education or family counseling.

VTC also utilizes a mentor program. Each participant is paired with a veteran assigned to help them succeed. Mentors must be honorably discharged from service, have no prior criminal record and be willing to commit to helping at least one veteran for the whole of the program.

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