MCALLEN – A Rio Grande Valley veteran says the Department of Veterans Affairs isn’t helping those who are fighting addiction.

He says a number of veterans need an intervention for drugs or alcohol.

”But when you try to call the VA emergency line, it seems you get nothing but machine after machine and not an actual person,” says Valley veteran Gary Halford.

KRGV’s Frank McCaffrey spoke with a veteran’s service officer to find out what kind of help is available for veterans.

Those in need of an immediate intervention can contact a Veterans Service Officer at the following numbers listed below.

Hidalgo, Willacy, and Starr County: 956-318-2436

San Benito: 956-247-3550

Brownsville: 956-544-0811

Watch the video above for the full story.