US EXPERT: IF PTSD ISN'T TREATED CORRECTLY, COSTS WILL BE HIGH

ZAGREB, Dec 28 (Hina) - If the Croatian government fails to deal with the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) the right way, primarily through prevention, the costs will be dear, renowned US psychologist and the former US president Jimmy Carter's advisor on veterans' issues, Dr John P. Wilson, told a news conference organised by the Croatian Social Liberal Party's (HSLS) Committee on Croatian Veterans. Speaking about his work in Croatia, Wilson said he had taught his Croatian colleagues how to treat PTSD but also recognise those who fake it. Wilson said he would link the data bases of Vietnam veterans and Croatian war veterans, which would be the largest data base on persons suffering from PTSD. The US expert criticised Croatia's law on the rights of war veterans, particularly Article 75, under which illness and requests for the status of disabled war veteran must be reported within 30 days from the day of demobilisation. Wilson also believes the separation of rights of ill and wounded veterans is a violation of veterans' and human rights. The president of the Committee on Veterans, Herman Vukusic, said unofficial announcements saying that the working version of the new law on veterans would contain regulations under which those suffering from PTSD would be reported to the police and be denied driver's licences were false. (hina) rml