Veterans Healing Initiative

" nation's capital to veterans returning home that they could have a difficult time readjusting to civilian life and today we need a former marine who's working on cutting edge technology these treatment centers designed to help this troubled veterans and Douglas Kennedy has that story. Douglas is live in New York -- we talk to you can keep this picture as well good morning. Great bill yet -- many of our vets have fought the enemy for years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately when they come home some of them and the fighting the enemy within."

" In Derek Smith returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom two years ago his life fell apart. He had a flashback to combat experience. He started drinking. Drugs to cope you were suffering from both drug addiction. And posttraumatic stress disorder at the same time. Did describe that."

" Well I think they've -- go hand in hand. I got back. I -- it's like I didn't really know Reza stolen. Kind of felt out of place."

" Now Smith is getting help in a facility that treats both his substance abuse and PT AS state. It's a two pronged approach being pushed by this man who. -- you believe it's essential to treat both."

" Problems at the same time tell me why what's right the evidence shows. For the best to fact you've got to treat peaked yesterday and drug and alcohol abuse the same time we're currently."

" abernathy runs abernathy Macgregor one of the most successful public relations firms in New York. But he is now devoting much of its time and money to opening treatment centers for troubled vets. A program called the veterans healing initiative."

" Is essentially a fund raising operation. What we are doing simply is raising money to fall and institutions. -- treatment centers that are unique. In treating posttraumatic stress disorder. And drug and alcohol abuse issues abernathy is familiar with from personal experience. Having served in the Marines from 1959. To 1965. He's also -- recovering alcoholic himself. It's now clean and sober for more than thirty years. So this is really your way out of giving back I imagine it is sort of -- and so great. To the program. 31. I will do whatever I can to make it available to other people."

" Making it available that the same time giving vets who are struggling a role model to look up to when they need it most that's it from here -- back to you know. Thank you Douglas I met him last night at the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans association fund raiser in New York City and he's doing tremendous work in Douglas thank you very important work bill indeed it is Douglas thank you we."