Torch, Spring 1981

4 Won by a Witness by Malcolm Dixon T hree years ago, the most important thing in my life was the dope that I was selling so that I could afford to take it myself. My life was one empty fix after anoth– er. I was unhappy, and I had no other purpose than to get high one more time . Then Jesus Christ saved me , and life for me started all over again. I was born and reared in Hamilton, Ohio, where I lived with my mother in the projects-low-income hous– ing. I never knew my father, but mother did the best that she could to raise me. In high school I was a success at sports, especially football. But, I didn't study in school; I just attended. Like most of the boys my age, I only wanted to be ac– cepted by the crowd . So, I began to act like my older friends who were breaking the law. I drank alcohol and, on one occasion, I was arrested for breaking and enter– ing. I was 14 years old . I can remember being "up town" a number of times, but it never resulted in a jail sentence. I was what most people call a juvenile delin– quent. My experience with drugs began when I was 15. My friends and I were acting silly and one of them asked me if I had ever been high. I lied and said that I had. So they offered me a marijuana joint. One led to another; and soon I was experimenting with various kinds of drugs, all provided by my friends. Upon graduation from high school, I decided to give college a try . But, I didn't like studying, and I soon dropped out. Returning to Hamilton, I found a job and began to save some money. One of the best investments that I knew about was dope. I could buy it, resell it, and make a good profit. Before long, my investments were bringing in $300- $500 per week. In addition to selling drugs, I continued to take them myself. By my count, I was high for eight straight years or 2,920 days, except for five "dry" days in jail on a grand theft charge. Did I feel any conviction from God during these years? Sure, l felt guilty all the time. I knew I was doing the wrong thing. There was never any peace, and no real satisfaction.