SUNBURY - The Veterans Court Treatment Team led by Judge Charles Saylor will officially launch a "Veterans Court" in Northumberland County at a ceremonial session to be held at 11 a.m. today in Courtroom 1 of the Northumberland County Courthouse.
The public is welcome for this historic event whereby Northumberland County becomes only the ninth county in the state to implement a court specifically for veterans. Local military historian John Deppen will be a featured speaker.
Among the issues veterans face are the "invisible wounds" of post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, which can result in alcohol abuse, erratic behavior and eventual involvement with the criminal justice system. As key components of the program, Saylor will match the veteran with a trained volunteer mentor, and the veteran will be required to utilize the treatment services of the Veteran's Administration along with the assistance of the county's office of veterans affairs, adult probation, drug and alcohol and mental health departments.
"This is every indication that the success rate of a veterans court to curb recidivism will likely mirror that of the other treatment courts."
The veterans court will operate without the need for any request for county funds.
If anyone is interested in being a mentor, please contact the treatment court coordinator, Noel Jones at 495-2311 or njones@norrycopa.net