Michael DeLeon

Michael DeLeon, a successfully acclimated ex-offender who after nearly 20 years of drug addiction and nearly 8 years of crime and gang involvement, spent 12 years in prison. Michael ran Scared Straight and Project Pride in prison for 10 years powerfully educating youth about the consequences of drugs, gangs and crime. Since Michael’s release from prison, he has earned 5 Degrees and is now in the process of obtaining his Masters Degree in Addictions Counseling.

Michael 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 and unhealthy life-choices. He is also a national speaker on the prevention of gang-involvement and criminal activity.

Michael is a subject matter expert and national thought leader on drug trends, addiction, recovery and criminal justice reform. He has spoken to over 13 million students and young adults as a motivational speaker, delivering evidence-based student programs in all 50 states. Michael has become the #1 booked school presenter in America.

Michael is an award-winning filmmaker and has directed and produced four documentaries on addiction, focusing on the opiate and heroin epidemic in America, marijuana legalization and Addiction Recovery. His memoir, “Chasing Ruin, Finding Redemption” will be released in 2022. There are numerous other film and book projects underway.

Michael was awarded the 2020 President’s Volunteer Service Award by President Trump for his ongoing volunteer efforts distributing Drug Education Materials to youth and communities throughout the country.