Gaston County Veterans Treatment Court helping veterans get their lives back

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Otis Birch is the newest graduate of Gaston County’s Veterans Treatment Court, a program for military veterans dealing with addiction and substance abuse.

Birch spoke at the graduation, holding a certificate he called a lifetime commitment.

“This is a lifetime commitment certificate for me because it gave me my life back, and I want to thank everybody, and I appreciate everything that they’ve done,” Birch told the courtroom audience.

Program honors veterans’ service

Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page thanked Birch for his military service during the graduation.

“Otis, I thank you for years ago making a decision to join the Army and for putting yourself on the line for all of us,” Page said.

The district attorney said the program exists because a person’s history involves more than a criminal record.

“We have this program because there’s more than a criminal history, there’s more than a run-in with police. There’s a human being created in a divine image that has a future,” Page told the crowd gathered for Birch’s graduation.

Graduate describes path to court

Michael Carpenter, an Army veteran from Gaston County, is a graduate of the program and was one of the court’s first graduates. He said coping with stress and PTSD led to alcohol abuse, which led to a DWI.

“You get into a slump. You start feeling shame. You start feeling the regret, then you know, negative thoughts,” Carpenter explained.

The veteran said the court’s approach allowed him to turn his situation around.

“It takes a lot of hands sometimes to pull you out of a low space, but you gotta be willing to let them do that,” Carpenter said.

How the program works

Page said participants appear in court every two weeks.

“They’re in court every two weeks. Our judge is keeping tabs on them. We have treatment coordinators and case managers that are keeping up with them, making sure that they’re addressing their substance use issues,” Page said.

He noted that the program is not offered to every veteran dealing with substance abuse. Violent offenders and veterans charged with sex crimes are not accepted.

Ken Heavner, a veteran and the court manager of the Veterans Treatment Court, said participants have responsibilities in the program.

“They have to walk in their own recovery and take advantage of the opportunities that we give them. It’s really a second chance at life. It’s a chance at restoration,” Heavner said.

He spoke passionately about his role with the program.

“Every day I get to help people. I get to look at them and be like, ‘Listen, I know the way out. Follow me,’” Heavner said.

Program size and future

Nine veterans have graduated from the program. Heavner said the program is worth the time, effort and investment.

“One life is enough. That’s enough difference. The ripple effects of one life that is changed is enough,” Heavner said.

The court can serve 15 to 25 veterans at a time. Heavner said he recommends starting similar programs in other counties in the area.