A program aimed at helping veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or issues of substance abuse will celebrate its first graduates at a ceremony this week.
The Henry County Veterans Treatment Court is holding its first commencement at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Veterans Memorial Wall in McDonough. The program is part of a growing number of accountability courts across the nation addressing issues of veterans in trouble with the law.
"On average, one veteran is arrested daily in Henry County," said Superior Court Judge John "Trea" Pipkin III, who presides over the program. "Many of these veterans have sacrificed greatly for our country and are suffering from service-connected issues that have not been addressed or treated."
The court was launched in October to address mental health issues that can lead veterans to trouble with the law through individualized counseling and other behavioral therapy services.
The goal of the program is to increase public safety by reducing recidivism, alleviate the cost of incarcerating law-breaking veterans and providing counseling to address the veterans’ diagnoses. It uses the structure of the veterans military service to help guide them to a lead productive lives.
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