Tom Rooney Wants Feds to Help Vets Fighting Drug Abuse and PTSD

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a veteran of the Army who taught at West Point, went to bat on Thursday for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and drug abuse by proposing amendments to be tacked onto the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2012 fiscal year.

While weve made tremendous progress in improving mental-health services for our troops and veterans, the high rates of suicide and invisible wounds like PTSD are clear evidence that we must do more to help those who serve our country, said Rooney on Thursday. By expanding research and exploring cutting-edge treatments and technologies, we can help ensure that our troops and veterans get the care they need.

Rooneys amendments would increase assistance to veterans battling substance abuse and would increase research on how virtual reality technology can be used in the fight against PTSD.