Issac Bailey | Help even for a drug dealer

A drug dealer I met recently wants a new job.

He's 16-years-old. His father hasn't been in his life for the past dozen years, he said.

Jumping into a car late at night looking for buyers was a part of his recent life.

He's done other unsavory things. He believes it makes more sense to run with those in his community dealing drugs to make a quick buck than those in that same community who are putting their faith in God instead of illegal activity. He'll feel out of place in church, he said, "because I've done so many bad things."

He's one of the students in Horry County I've been working with for the past several weeks, trying to impress upon them the importance of solid decision-making and the need to lead a no-excuses life.

As I told him about my five family members in prison and about how my brothers many years ago - before their activities escalated into violent crimes and long prison sentences - sounded just like he does today.

He's convinced himself that he has few options, that he's been dealt a raw deal in life. On the former, he's wrong. His options are limited only because he's making daily decisions to ignore those trying to steer him to a better path in favor of those fast taking him down the wrong road.

He's right that he's been given a raw deal in life. But that can be overcome, I told him after being frank about where his choices are likely to take him, either to prison or an early grave. He's about to waste his opportunity to fulfill his purpose on Earth.

He told me he understands. I got the sense that he's torn. It's not easy for a 16-year-old to think through potential long-term consequences or to defy the expectations of peers.

The look in his eyes told me more. They were full of fear, evidence he hasn't yet forgotten he possesses a soul, that there must be a better way.

That's why he told one of his teachers he needed a day job - because he wanted to quit his night job.

I don't think it matters if it is flipping burgers or landscaping or picking tobacco the way I once did as long as he's surrounded by men who understand that manhood isn't about machismo but consistently making decisions that are right, especially when they are hard.

It was easier to bring the plight of the good Samaritan who was badly injured while trying to stop a crime in process to the public's attention in this space in hope someone would be moved. Many people have been, just as they were when donating enough money for two children of a Conway soldier killed in Iraq to go to Disneyworld and giving to CareTeam's fight against HIV.

Those are undeniably worthy causes. But so is intervening in the life of a 16-year-old drug dealer who needs to change.

Anyone who hires him would be taking a risk.

Not hiring or helping him would be risky as well.