The economic situation going on in the world today has been socially and seriously compared to that of the Great Depression.  People find getting a job harder today than ever in the current three generations.  Whether the reasons are, again, the economy, aging, or a mistake from the past showing up in new background checks post 9-11, a lot of people are in the same boat: they are having a hard time making a living.  Some turn to drug dealing. 

Making a living selling drugs is not making a living.  You are behind bars in a prison of your own making.  First off, you are going to get caught eventually.  If you think differently, think again.  We see it in Texas newspapers every day.   A traffic stop yields 150 pounds of pot, a million dollars worth of cocaine, $11,000 worth of prescription drugs.  It happens all the time. 

A raid discovers counterfeit money and drug possession.  How?  Someone has tipped off the authorities.  Either during a drug deal gone wrong, revenge or that kid at the local high school got in trouble with Mom or Dad and decided to come clean in order to offset his or her punishment. 

Seriously, how does a person make a living selling drugs?  More and more “clients” are students.  If you get a Texas Mama finding out you are selling drugs to her junior high son or daughter, you may find yourself picked up and sentenced to more years in prison than you have left to live multiplied by ten or twelve. 

Making a living drug dealing is not really living.  You cannot share stories over dinner with your parents about a huge sale.  You can’t celebrate with the neighbors and tell them the reason you were able to put a pool in is because their high school kids are some of your best customers.  You are suspicious of every person you come in contact with.  You can get hooked on your own product.  You are constantly looking over your shoulder.  You live in fear of a drug bust or someone pulling a drive-by shooting, usually hitting the wrong house and injuring some child. 

Fast food may not be what some people dreamed of doing but if you are having a rough time financially, knock off the “pride” and try for a job there.  It is a lot more respectful than having undercover agents arrest you in front of your kindergarten-aged son or daughter. 

Think twice before you make a drug deal.  Then think twice again.  Making a living pushing drugs is not making a living.  It is a crime that hurts not only the person you are selling to, but their families, your own family and more and more, minor children who are suppose to be protected by adults.  We all have a responsibility when it comes to that. 

Are you making a living selling drugs?  Stop, get out now and rebuild your life and character.  Because if you get caught in Texas, chances are high that you will not see the road to freedom again in your lifetime.  Do you honestly think living high on the hog for a few months till someone narcs on you is worth it?  Can you really live with yourself if you contribute to a young person’s road to addiction?  Ask yourself that when your view from the top is a set of prison bars on your window or the funeral procession of a child who lived down the street.