Pubdate: Wed, 03 Mar 2005 Source: Buffalo News (NY) Copyright: 2005 The Buffalo News Contact: http://www.buffalonews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61 Author: Valentino Dixon Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) YOU'LL PAY DEARLY FOR A LIFE OF CRIME I address the following to our youth in Buffalo, who may or may not be headed down the wrong path, the path of destruction. Sixteen years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life. I became a drug dealer. I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway. My so-called reasons for selling drugs, I now realize, weren't reasons at all. I never considered the individuals I hurt or the things I did out of greed. I was more concerned about my reputation, driving flashy cars to get noticed, sporting a Rolex to be called the man, buying expensive clothes to replace my low self-esteem and carrying guns because that's the only time I had courage. Was it worth it? Hell, no! It's suicide, a real-life nightmare minus sleep. Why did I sell drugs? Peer pressure, ignorance, stupidity, insanity and a lack of love for myself and humanity. Which brings me to you. Whatever your choice of crime is, ask yourself: Is it worth throwing away your precious life, your only life? It takes only one bad decision, only seconds for your life to go in a negative direction, which can lead to severe suffering and consequences. If you enjoy disobeying and disrespecting your parents and teachers because you feel justified by drinking, using drugs and having unprotected sex, you'll become addicted to whatever you use and end up with a three-letter word across your forehead - HIV. Not to mention that your family and friends will eventually get fed up with you, as you walk down a negative and destructive path that leads to criminal behavior, life imprisonment or death. Is it worth it? The truth is anyone can end up in prison because of a bad choice. It happens every day to our favorite entertainers, sports figures and even those who took an oath to protect and serve us, Buffalo's finest. These examples should teach us that crime doesn't pay. If you do wrong, you are going down. You won't win, no matter how smart you think you are. Nothing is guaranteed in a life of crime but death and prison, so make the right choices. If you die due to a life of crime, you will leave no legacy. In prison, you're put in a lonely cell the size of a closet, and told when to eat and sleep, when to go outside, what to wear, when to strip and even what to say. You're no longer human - you're like an animal in a cage. At any time, you could be cut, stabbed or even raped. All the while, life and the entire world passes you by as you torture your family and community with the pain and agony you caused them because of your reckless actions. Again I ask you: Is it worth it? If you are considering a life of crime, I beg you to think again. Save your soul. You're a unique and special person. You don't have to use, sell drugs or be in a gang to be accepted by others. I know it's hard out there and you're struggling, but there is no shortcut to success. Your dreams and passions can come true. Believe in yourself and don't take life for granted. There are consequences for every bad decision you make. You can live a long, happy, productive and successful life or throw away your dreams and talents for a one-way ticket to hell. I've spent the last 14 years of my life in Attica Correctional Facility for a crime I didn't do. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. But am I really innocent? And why should anyone care? I was a drug dealer. Ask me, was it worth it? - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake