Drugged Up and Locked In: Prison & Substance Abuse | Shavonda Johnson | TEDxKingLincolnBronzeville

Shavonda, a master's level licensed social worker explores the increase in the number of individuals who are incarcerated within the correctional system in Ohio. As a therapist in Ohio's prisons, she shares of her experiences as an employee working with offenders with mentally illnesses and substance addictions. She provides insight as to why substance abuse treatment is more effective in community based settings rather than prison, especially for individuals who have not committed violent crimes. She shares ideas on how the increase in community collectivism, advocacy, empathy and awareness play a large role in helping to shed light to the importance of increasing community treatment and decreasing incarceration rates. Shavonda Johnson is a Master’s level Licensed Social Worker within The Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC). As a social worker, she works in the mental health department. Shavonda is responsible for providing clinical treatment to incarcerated individuals with cognitive and mental disorders and those with co-occurring mental health disorders and substance addictions. Shavonda is a two-time graduate of The Ohio State University. She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Criminology and a Master’s of Social Work. As a student, she was involved in a mentoring program in a juvenile prison and this sparked a passion for serving in corrections. Through various internships and research opportunities, Shavonda became more interested in helping those with mental health disorders and substance addictions. Shavonda serves in the youth and women’s ministry at her church and she is a mentor with Franklin County Children’s Services. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx