EX-DRUG DEALER SAYS FAITH TURNED HER AROUND

Fredricka Early Stewart is no stranger to trouble.

At 14, she shot a girl over a mutual girlfriend.

She's been stabbed seven times, shot twice and tried to commit suicide four
times.

Stewart operated a crack house in Massillon and three crack houses in
Canton. She was arrested and served one year in prison.

She also was a lesbian, once dating five women at one time.

But Stewart, of Canton, said she's recovered from her past, thanks to an
encounter with God.

She'll share her story Saturday during a drug-free rally noon-7:30 p.m. at
Shriver Park in Massillon.

The event is sponsored by Trinity Gospel Temple's Street Team Ministry in
Canton and Jeffrey Bushman of Massillon AAA.

The group has held similar events in Canton for the past 10 years, Stewart
said.

Saturday's Drug-Free Rally is also hosted by Mari Moss, the host of Peace
TV, a program that airs on Time Warner Cable as well as Massillon Cable.

"It's a positive version of MTV," she said. "Kids have way too many
negative influences today."

During Saturday's event, Moss will host a talent showcase in the park from
2-7 p.m., featuring rappers, dancers, actors, actresses, models and singers.

Moss has been impressed with the ministry of Stewart and other reformed
drug addicts at Trinity Gospel Temple.

"The testimonies have been phenomenal," Moss said. "People have been saved
from drugs and a history of crime. We want to reach out to the community
and reach people where they are at by speaking their language."

Stewart's story involved delivering drugs from New York to Canton before
eventually being arrested in Youngstown.

"They gave me seven to 25 years, but I was set free on a bust bond, which
meant I had to go bust somebody," she said. "But I ran to Georgia."

While there, Stewart said she robbed drug dealers and beat a girl with a
hammer before returning to Canton.

"I returned to being involved in drugs," she said. "I was sent to jail
after breaking my leg in three places after jumping from a bridge."

Her experience with God came in jail while in solitary confinement.

"I didn't have some preacher lay hands on me," she said. "I had God myself.
I realized there was a need in my life, and I needed to change from the
inside. People now say 'Jesus has to be real to have hope for her.'"

Stewart had harsh words when asked about the drug scene in Massillon.

"We've heard stories about drugs in the city," she said. "That's why we
picked this area. We take our message straight to the hood. I should have
been dead years ago, but God gave me the opportunity to help others."

Massillon Mayor Frank Cicchinelli said he believes drugs are an issue in
all areas, not just Massillon.

"We feel we have the proper people in place to fight the problem," he said,
adding he doesn't believe organized gangs are a problem in the city. "We do
appreciate any type of drug education."

Stewart also claimed she's heard that gangs are in the area.

"Just last week, someone was beat up in the Shriver Park area," Stewart said.

Her words were echoed by Greta Varner, a 1985 Perry High graduate who said
she sold drugs in the Massillon area.

"I had sold crack and cocaine on the southeast side of Massillon," she
said. "Things started to happen, and I got scared. I came to the
realization that I couldn't do it alone."

Varner said she feels drugs and gangs are a problem in Massillon.

"I feel officials look the other way," she said. "There's lots of drugs
here," Stewart said. "People here have their eyes closed."