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Dear Sir,
After reading the June 18 article in the Bermuda Sun — Premier: Cons Can Help Us Catch Crooks — I was compelled to share my own personal experience.
I am a true-life example of what can become of an individual that at one time was thought of as nothing more than a con or a crook.
After my mother left my abusive stepfather to raise my younger brother, sister and I by herself, I quickly gravitated to the excitement and money associated with the streets.  
I became heavily involved in the distribution of ­illegal narcotics as well as the violence that is usually associated with such activity and wound up being ­arrested a number of times for drug related offences.  
I ended up with a misdemeanour conviction for ­possession of drugs and eventually a felony conviction for possession with ­intent to distribute drugs. I was a high school drop-out and most outsiders that saw me figured I was just another statistic — a young black male headed for prison or death.
That was 14 years ago. I now hold an A.S. in ­physical studies, a BS in history, an MBA with a ­focus on technology ­management and I am now in my second year of my Juris Doctor degree in law.
I am where I am today ­because of ideas such as the ones you expressed in the article.  
Please, for people like me and your son, continue to look for ways to reach out and assist those in our ­communities that really are in need.
I truly hope your vision for change becomes a ­reality because there are more of us out there that need it than you or anyone could imagine.
Jason Bost[[In-content Ad]]

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