Northern Kentucky Veterans Treatment Court (NKY VTC), serving Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties, will hold its inaugural graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 27 at the Campbell County Courthouse.
The Honorable John D. Minton, Chief Justice of Kentucky, will deliver the keynote address. Graduates will be announced by the Honorable Michelle M. Keller, Kentucky Supreme Court Justice and presented with their graduation certificates by their respective VTC Judge – Honorable Jeffrey S. Smith, Boone District Judge; Honorable Cameron J. Blau, Campbell District Judge, and Honorable Ann Ruttle, Kenton District Judge.
This is the court’s first ceremony since its founding in 2014, when Judge Karen A. Thomas, Campbell District Court, arranged an agreement with the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts to use some of her Drug Court resources to help start a Veterans program. Campbell Circuit Judge, Fred Stine, who has since retired, presided over the initial court, with Boone and Kenton transferring eligible, justice-involved veterans to the Campbell VTC docket.
Of the 12 NKY VTC graduates thus far, 10 are expected to be in attendance. The ceremony celebrates their completion of an intensive program of comprehensive substance abuse disorder and/or mental health treatment, close supervision, and accountability.
Terry Whitt, the second to graduate from the NKY VTC Program said, “Veterans Treatment Court helped me to change my unhelpful thoughts and feelings related to life and my future. I learned better methods of dealing with anger and my traumatic memories in a safe manner. I wasn’t even aware I suffered from PTSD before Veterans Treatment Court. Since graduating from VTC, I go to church with my wife, which is such a powerful influence on me, and I continue to see my PTSD counselor at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.”
Many veterans return home strengthened by their military service.
However, the structure and comradery found in the military are lost upon returning home, making it difficult for those who struggle with trauma, mental illness (PTSD), and substance use disorders cope.
“Mr. Whitt is a perfect example of this,” according to Judge Thomas. “He’d been struggling alone, self-medicating, and didn’t even realize he suffered from PTSD until he started VTC. VTC was the catalyst that connected Mr. Whitt with the treatment necessary to lead a more fulfilling life.”
Veterans Treatment Courts represent a path ahead that will save the lives of our Veterans suffering addiction and mental illness. From Veterans Treatment Court to Drug and Mental Health Courts, numerous studies have found treatment courts reduce crime and drug use, while at the same time save the taxpayers money. Treatment courts represent a compassionate approach to the ravages of addiction and mental health issues while improving educational attainment, employment, housing, financial stability and family reunification for participants.
In late 2015, the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts received grant funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to help fund the Northern Kentucky Veterans Treatment Court program independent of the Drug Court staff and services. A total of 66 Veterans have entered the program and referrals continue to grow. Currently, the program has 30 participants from the three counties served.