Vets to graduate from treatment program

With 15 graduates, the fourth class from the Cobb County Veterans Court will graduate Oct. 13 with completion of the 18-month intensive treatment program.

In 2014, the Cobb Veterans Court joined a nationwide surge of accountability courts that are tailored specifically for veterans. These courts address post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other mental health issues via counseling, job training and additional needed services to achieve success for veterans.

The court’s mission is to increase public safety by reducing recidivism, alleviate the tax burden of incarcerating law-breaking veterans by assisting participants to become productive taxpayers instead of inmates, provide intensive case management to address mental health issues and offer the familiarity of structure and accountability.

An estimated 774,464 veterans live in Georgia with 47,000 of them in Cobb County, according to a county statement. Locally, 4,500 active duty/reservists are assigned to Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

With the Atlanta VA, Cobb Veterans Court participants receive alcohol and drug treatment in Decatur and are given additional treatment via WestCare on Roswell Street.

Information: Flynn Broady at 770-528-7988 or flynn.broady@CobbCounty.org.