HOLYOKE, Mass. (AP) - The Western Massachusetts Veterans Treatment Court is celebrating its first four graduates.
The program will hold a special graduation ceremony on Wednesday at Holyoke District Court.
The court that serves veterans from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties is one of five around the state set up to help military veterans facing criminal charges and substance abuse challenges by getting them help instead of locking them in jail.
Judge Laurie MacLeod tells The Republican (https://bit.ly/2tXq81L ) newspaper that the four graduates have “performed community service, begun pursuing vocational and education goals, secured independent housing and established relationships in the community for maintaining their future sobriety.”
The program is a voluntary, 18-month probation term that involves supervision, including volunteer mentors who are veterans themselves, access to treatment and case management by court staff.
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Information from: The Springfield (Mass.) Republican, https://www.masslive.com/news/
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