Public Policy and Advocacy for the Black Community: Decriminalizing Cannabis is a Racial Justice Issue
A Recorded Webinar
Recorded on Thursday, February 9, 2023
Description
Between 2001 and 2010, there were over 8 million marijuana-use-related arrests in the United States. That’s one arrest every 37 seconds. Nationally, African Americans are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession even though marijuana use is roughly equal among Blacks and Whites. Even two years after decriminalization in Washington, D.C. a Black or Latinx person is 11 times more likely than a white person to be arrested for public use of marijuana. For decades, the addiction treatment industry has been the greatest recipient of incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals in the U.S. Decriminalizing and/or legalizing marijuana must come with expungement and investment in the communities most harmed by enforcement. In this presentation, participants will identify why it is critical that the addiction profession prioritize public policy and advocacy efforts to prevent further injustice in the communities we serve.
(ACLU Report, 2019)
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to summarize the disparities between Black and white individuals regarding arrests for marijuana possession, and describe the impact on their respective communities as well as on addiction treatment.
- Participants will be able to state three reasons why the addiction profession is in a position to inform public policy and advocacy efforts to prevent further injustice.
- Participants will be able to identify three ways they can help advocate to prevent further injustice.
Presenters
Curtis Dorsey, MEd, CCS, CADC-II, ICGC-II
Curtis Dorsey, MEd, CCS, CADC-II, ICGC-II, is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and post-graduate of Lesley University Cambridge (MA). Dorsey is a Master’s prepared counseling educator, with over 20 years of experience specializing in addiction counseling with clinical and instructional experience related to both chemical and behavioral addictions. Currently working for the Grady Health System in Atlanta, GA, Dorsey provides clinical supervision for those seeking initial and recertification for addiction and gambling counseling as a board approved clinical consultant for the National Council for Problem Gambling.
Curtis Dorsey, MEd, CCS, CADC-II, ICGC-II, is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and post-graduate of Lesley University Cambridge (MA). Dorsey is a Master’s prepared counseling educator, with over 20 years of experience specializing in addiction counseling with clinical and instructional experience related to both chemical and behavioral addictions. Currently working for the Grady Health System in Atlanta, GA, Dorsey provides clinical supervision for those seeking initial and recertification for addiction and gambling counseling as a board approved clinical consultant for the National Council for Problem Gambling.
Monica Rich-McLaurin, MHSA, MSW, LMSW
Monica Rich-McLaurin, MHSA, MSW, LMSW, is a clinician with over 25 years of experience. She is the CEO/Founder of Paramount Consulting Group, PLLC, which provides accreditation preparation services to organizations that provide behavioral health services, children and youth services, and opioid treatment programs. Rich-McLaurin is also the CEO of Resolution Counseling & Therapy Services, PLLC, which provides direct clinical services to adults. She is an administrative and program surveyor for CARF International, an accrediting body for the majority of behavioral health, medical rehabilitation, and opioid treatment organizations around the world. Rich-McLaurin is the Chairwoman of the NASW National Ethics Committee, active within NAADAC as a member of the Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee, chair of the Ethics Committee, and a board member of the Michigan Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors (MAADAC).
Monica Rich-McLaurin, MHSA, MSW, LMSW, is a clinician with over 25 years of experience. She is the CEO/Founder of Paramount Consulting Group, PLLC, which provides accreditation preparation services to organizations that provide behavioral health services, children and youth services, and opioid treatment programs. Rich-McLaurin is also the CEO of Resolution Counseling & Therapy Services, PLLC, which provides direct clinical services to adults. She is an administrative and program surveyor for CARF International, an accrediting body for the majority of behavioral health, medical rehabilitation, and opioid treatment organizations around the world. Rich-McLaurin is the Chairwoman of the NASW National Ethics Committee, active within NAADAC as a member of the Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee, chair of the Ethics Committee, and a board member of the Michigan Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors (MAADAC).
Peter D. Mott, MA, LCDC, ICADC, ADC
Peter D. Mott, MA, LCDC, ICADC, ADC has been in the behavior health profession for over 20 years. He is a Master’s level licensed clinician. Mott’s behavioral health experience has been based in an acute care hospital, residential, and outpatient treatment settings. For the last three years, he served as program director for a comprehensive IOP treatment program specializing in chronic pain, dependency, and opioid use disorders. Mott was elected to the Texas Certification Board in 2020 and he is the Immediate-Past President of the Houston Chapter TAAP. In August of 2020, Mott was selected to serve on NAADAC’s newly created committee, Critical Issues in the Black Community. Mott was awarded NAADAC's Counselor of the Year in 2021. He was voted Member of the Year for the Houston Chapter TAAP in 2018 and Counselor of the Year in 2016.
Peter D. Mott, MA, LCDC, ICADC, ADC has been in the behavior health profession for over 20 years. He is a Master’s level licensed clinician. Mott’s behavioral health experience has been based in an acute care hospital, residential, and outpatient treatment settings. For the last three years, he served as program director for a comprehensive IOP treatment program specializing in chronic pain, dependency, and opioid use disorders. Mott was elected to the Texas Certification Board in 2020 and he is the Immediate-Past President of the Houston Chapter TAAP. In August of 2020, Mott was selected to serve on NAADAC’s newly created committee, Critical Issues in the Black Community. Mott was awarded NAADAC's Counselor of the Year in 2021. He was voted Member of the Year for the Houston Chapter TAAP in 2018 and Counselor of the Year in 2016.
Sherrá Watkins, PhD, LCMHC-S, LCAS, CRC
Sherrá Watkins, PhD, LCMHC-S, LCAS, CRC, is the Associate Vice President of Student Health and Wellness at the University of Utah. A leader in the mental health and substance use field, her passion is to transform systems that perpetuate decreased access and utilization of counseling services towards marginalized populations. Watkins’ research focuses on decreasing the stigma of mental health and substance use treatment among African Americans. She has vast expertise in the areas of public health, mental health and substance use administration and education, wellness, and mentorship for minority professionals. Watkins earned four degrees from East Carolina University, a Doctoral degree in Rehabilitation Counseling & Administration, a Master's in Clinical Counseling & Substance Abuse Counseling and Health Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in School Health Education. She has received personal honors from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and professional honors ECU Leadership Awards: 40 under 40 Inaugural Class.
Sherrá Watkins, PhD, LCMHC-S, LCAS, CRC, is the Associate Vice President of Student Health and Wellness at the University of Utah. A leader in the mental health and substance use field, her passion is to transform systems that perpetuate decreased access and utilization of counseling services towards marginalized populations. Watkins’ research focuses on decreasing the stigma of mental health and substance use treatment among African Americans. She has vast expertise in the areas of public health, mental health and substance use administration and education, wellness, and mentorship for minority professionals. Watkins earned four degrees from East Carolina University, a Doctoral degree in Rehabilitation Counseling & Administration, a Master's in Clinical Counseling & Substance Abuse Counseling and Health Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in School Health Education. She has received personal honors from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and professional honors ECU Leadership Awards: 40 under 40 Inaugural Class.
Sherri Layton, LCSC, CCS
Sherri Layton, LCSC, CCS, has 45 years experience in the treatment profession, and has served in various clinical, management, and administrative capacities. Layton has been with La Hacienda Treatment Center since 1992. Currently, she is the Director of Public Policy and leads La Hacienda’s advocacy efforts in Texas and nationally. Layton co-chairs NAADAC’s Public Policy Committee and is the Immediate Past President of TAAP, NAADAC’s Texas affiliate.
Sherri Layton, LCSC, CCS, has 45 years experience in the treatment profession, and has served in various clinical, management, and administrative capacities. Layton has been with La Hacienda Treatment Center since 1992. Currently, she is the Director of Public Policy and leads La Hacienda’s advocacy efforts in Texas and nationally. Layton co-chairs NAADAC’s Public Policy Committee and is the Immediate Past President of TAAP, NAADAC’s Texas affiliate.
Rommel Johnson, PhD, LPC, NCC, CAADC (Moderator)
Rommel Johnson, PhD, LPC, NCC, CAADC, is an assistant professor in the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Johnson holds a Doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Western Michigan University and Master of Arts degrees in Community Counseling and Youth Ministry from Andrews University. Johnson is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the states of Michigan and Texas, and is board certified in general counseling (NCC) and addiction counseling (CAADC). Johnson has over 14 years of clinical mental health and addiction counseling experience. Johnson’s research interests include exploring brain neuroplasticity in addiction and recovery and understanding issues of race, social justice, disability, addiction, and mental health within Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latinx Americans.
Rommel Johnson, PhD, LPC, NCC, CAADC, is an assistant professor in the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Johnson holds a Doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Western Michigan University and Master of Arts degrees in Community Counseling and Youth Ministry from Andrews University. Johnson is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the states of Michigan and Texas, and is board certified in general counseling (NCC) and addiction counseling (CAADC). Johnson has over 14 years of clinical mental health and addiction counseling experience. Johnson’s research interests include exploring brain neuroplasticity in addiction and recovery and understanding issues of race, social justice, disability, addiction, and mental health within Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latinx Americans.
Content Level
Beginning and Intermediate
Beginning level courses introduce learners to a content area; include information about a condition, treatment method, or issue; and involve learning and comprehending content.
Intermediate level courses provide information that builds on knowledge practitioners with some experience already have. These courses focus on skill-building or adding knowledge, possibly following a brief overview of basic information, and involve using information in concrete situations and understanding the underlying structure of the material.
Beginning level courses introduce learners to a content area; include information about a condition, treatment method, or issue; and involve learning and comprehending content.
Intermediate level courses provide information that builds on knowledge practitioners with some experience already have. These courses focus on skill-building or adding knowledge, possibly following a brief overview of basic information, and involve using information in concrete situations and understanding the underlying structure of the material.
Interactivity
Polls and Q&A.
Price
Education is FREE to all professionals.
Earn 1.5 Continuing Education Hour (CE)
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This course meets the qualifications for one and a half (1.5) hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
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Click here for a complete list of organizations who approve NAADAC to provide continuing education hours.
This webinar is eligible for ASWB ACE CE hours. Click here for NAADAC Social Worker certificate instructions.
This course meets the qualifications for one and a half (1.5) hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Who Should Attend
Addiction professionals, employee assistance professionals, social workers, mental health counselors, professional counselors, psychologists, and other helping professionals that are interested in learning about addiction-related matters.
Accessibility
Live closed captioning is available and the captioning capabilities are in compliance with the practices defined in Worldwide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. In addition, transcripts are available for on-demand webinars recorded on and after March 27, 2019.
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Click here to learn about system requirements for NAADAC Webinars.
This presentation is for individual use only and may not be reproduced without permission from NAADAC.