Michael DeLeon

Michael R. DeLeon, a successfully acclimated ex-offender who, after 20 years of drug addiction and 8 years of crime and gang involvement, spent 12 years in state prison and halfway houses for a gang-related homicide. Since DeLeon’s release from prison, he has earned three associate degrees, a bachelor's degree in business management, with a minor in Criminal Justice and a CADC Educational Certificate. DeLeon is now in the process of obtaining his master’s degree in Addictions Counseling at Liberty University as well as pursuing his LCADC.

DeLeon is the founder of Steered Straight, Inc., a non-profit organization formed in 2007 designed with the intention of carrying a prevention message to youth and young adults regarding the extreme dangers of adolescent drug and alcohol use, bullying, and unhealthy life-choices. He is also a national speaker on the prevention of gang-involvement and criminal activity. DeLeon spends his time developing Steered Straight by stressing the importance of young men and women making sound, rational decisions in their day to day lives.

DeLeon has spoken to over 15 million students and young adults as a motivational speaker, delivering evidence-based student programs in all fifty states in America. He is now expanding his message to reach out to correctional facilities across the country. DeLeon is a 48-year expert in addiction and mental health with 15 years involvement with the criminal justice and corrections system. He is a subject matter expert and national thought leader on drug trends, addiction, recovery, and criminal justice reform. He is also a national speaker on the prevention of fentanyl, gang involvement, and criminal activity. He is now the #1 School Educator Internationally on Vaping & Fentanyl.