EXCLUSIVE: Dr John Gallagher On HBCUS, Drug Courts, Fatherhood & Morgan State

In this interview, Morgan State University Social Work Professor, Dr John Gallagher sat down with Todd Finley for his first ever HBCU Grad Interview.

He started off talking about fatherhood and his two daughters, Morgan and Carley. Then he quickly transitioned to talking about his work on ethnic disparities in treatment courts in America.

Dr Gallagher then gave us context on why he is who he is, by telling us about his upbringing, including telling us about his parents and his sports background.

Dr Gallagher went on to talk about why he chose to focus on and study addiction and mental health.

After expounding about his work experience early in his career, he talked about his transition from Indiana University to Morgan State University. He also praised HBCU culture while stating how excited he is to keep learning about it.

After that, Dr Gallagher detailed his research on racial outcomes in drug courts. He talked about the first drug court, his experience working with drug court professionals, and the presentations he gives working with the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP).

From there, Dr John Gallagher talked about the broader discipline of social work from a professional, practical and educational lens. He went extremely deep on his research and interviews with drug court participants that was very enlightening and insightful.

This wide ranging interview with Dr John Gallagher concluded with Dr Gallagher talking about working with students at Morgan State University, his continued research and his contribution to the field of social work.

Dr John Gallagher is a titan in the field of social work and this interview reveals why he is one of the most important people in treatment court reform.