DESPERATE MOTHER SAVES DRUGGIE SON YET AGAIN

The other day I got a call from a desperate mom of a prodigal son. Four
hours away from Winnipeg, this mom knew her son was in trouble somewhere on
our streets.

"My son got involved with drugs. Now he tells me he owes $400 to some
dealers. He told me they have his wallet and his car. He's worried about
losing his life. He's not that bad a boy. I want to pay his debt and have
him come home."

As we discussed the boy's story, I didn't have a good feeling about the
situation. But it's tough sharing cynicism with a worried mom.

His family told him to come see me at the church. Once he got here, I
phoned his mom again. Her boy, I'll call him "Ken," stood close and
listened carefully as I tried to convince her not to pay his drug debt.

"You may not want to hear this," I started, "but I hope you don't give him
the money. He's probably just milking you for cash to buy his drugs.
Covering his tracks and paying his debts is just enabling his addiction.
I'm figuring this isn't the first time you've done this."

"No, it's not the first time," Ken's mom replied. "But what if he's telling
the truth this time? I feel like I have to help him. They have his car, his
wallet, and I don't want him getting hurt. But I know you're probably
right, and I shouldn't give him the money."

Ken must have sensed his mom's weakness. He motioned for me to pass him the
phone. I did and instantly regretted the decision. His first words to his
mom were, "What are you doing to me? Just get me the money."

I couldn't believe the nerve of the guy! For a fleeting moment, I was
consumed with the very un-pastoral thought that maybe a good beating would
be the best thing for Ken. Most kids make mistakes. Lots of kids commit
crimes. But you can't get much lower than abusing the love of a parent.

I suggested to the mom that she report the car and wallet as stolen, and
have her boy check himself into a detox unit before coming home. "Don't
give him any money. If he's serious, he'll do what you tell him. If not, it
should be clear he's trading your heart for his drugs."

Mom, however, decided to pay. I told her that if she wired me the money, I
would pay the guy's dealers directly, making sure he had his wallet and car
so he could get on his way. After that, I said, he's on his own.

A half-hour later I was instructed to go the bank, give the teller my name
and tell them my password was "Scruffy." At that point, they would give me
the $400. I did as I was told.

After my trip to the bank, Ken took me to meet some dealers seated in a car
behind Safeway. After they gave him his wallet, I gave them half the money
he supposedly owed them.

An hour later, two other guys drove up behind the church with his car. They
wanted the money before he got the car. I flashed the remaining $200 and
said, "You guys get out of the car. When he gets in and drives off, you get
the money."

I saw their skepticism and added, "Don't worry, I'll give you the money.
Besides, you could jack me for it if I don't."

Ken got into the car and started it up. I then gave the two guys the other
half of the money. As they started walking away with the cash, I tried to
get them to consider the problems they were causing with their drug dealing.

They dismissed my concern as easily as they dismissed their conscience.
"Hey, his problem is not our problem. We're just doing business."

I looked down the street and saw Ken driving away. I hoped he would use the
opportunity to make a clean break, drive back home and get his life
together. But I was fully aware that he could just drive right around the
block, score some more cocaine and try to figure a new way for his mom to
pay the next bill.

For every prodigal, there's a parent waiting, crying, and hoping that their
child will make it home alive.

I'm hoping Ken doesn't blow his opportunity. He won't get many more,
especially if his mom keeps raising his credit limit with the dealers.

Rev. Harry Lehotsky is a founding member of New Life Ministries on Maryland
Street. His column appears Sundays.