For Some Former Philadelphia Drug Dealers, A Second Chance
By Lynne Adkins
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Young, nonviolent drug dealers in Philadelphia are getting the chance to turn their lives around.
The year-long program, "The Choice is Yours," gives some convicted drug dealers the chance to stay out of jail, while improving their lives.
Felek McCrae says the TCY program, in operation for only two months so far, has already changed him a lot:
"The first thing they say is, the choice is yours. The second thing they do is change the way you walk, talk, dress, and think. They say things to you like, 'Think positive and not negative,' 'Be responsible, not just for yourself but for your friends, family, and community.' "
At the end of his year in TCY he hopes to become a plumber -- without a felony conviction on his record.
Officials say TCY saves money because it's cheaper to educate and train a person than to send him to jail.
