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Pennsylvania has the fifth highest population of veterans of any state or commonwealth in the country, with a total population of approximately one million. The largest number of these men and women reside in Allegheny County, followed closely by Philadelphia and Montgomery. It is interesting to note the greatest concentration of veterans can be found in Warren County, where veterans represent 14% of that population. Tioga and Susquehanna are close seconds with 13% each.
On January 15, 2008, after seeing more and more young veterans in his Drug and Mental Health Treatment Courts, Judge Robert Russell of Buffalo, New York took action and collaborating with staff, opened the first Veterans Court in the United States. Pennsylvania rapidly followed suit, with the first Veterans Court opening in Lackawanna County in November, 2009.
Veterans' Treatment Courts use the drug court model to serve veterans struggling with addiction, mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders. These courts promote sobriety, recovery, and stability through a coordinated response that involves cooperation and collaboration with the traditional partners found in Drug and Mental Health Courts, with the addition of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Veterans' Benefits Administration. Unique to Veterans Courts is the volunteer veteran mentor.
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