Former gang member and drug dealer, J.J. Ramirez warned students Tuesday about life on the streets and offered help for those who want out.

"I've been a lot of places I wish I'd never been," said Ramirez. "I lived a life of hell."

Ramirez explained how he ran with a big gang in Houston and trafficked large amounts of drugs. He said he got involved because he lacked love as a child.

"I was looking for somebody to care about me," Ramirez said. "I found it in my homeboys on the streets." However, he cautioned students about taking this route.

"There's only two places you go when you join a gang‹the penitentiary or the grave," said Ramirez. "And your homeboys don't go with you."

Of the six close "homeboys" Ramirez had, two are now in Wallace Pact I and II and the other two are dead. Ramirez watched them bleed to death.

The gang activity Ramirez was involved in lead him to heavy drug use. Four years ago, he was addicted to crack cocaine.

"I was so addicted, I couldn't buy my baby formula," said Ramirez. "I didn't have no way out‹no one could help me."

But there was help‹and it came from a child Ramirez had rejected when he became a teenage father. The girl was now 11 years old and wanted to see her father.

"The very thing I rejected, God brought into my life," Ramirez said. "She was my daughter‹she was eleven. I was so strung out I didn't know what to say or what to do."

Ramirez sat on the porch that night and thought about his life. He didn't think anyone could ever forgive him for the things he had done.

"I said ŒGod, if you're for real, show me something,'" said Ramirez. "And He did. My daughter invited me to a Christian concert. I admitted I was addicted to crack cocaine."

Ramirez said he has not had the urge to use drugs since. "What I had rejected in my life, god brought back," he said. "It is His message I bring not mine." Ramirez has taken this message to the streets.

"I went back to my neighborhood with a Bible I my hand and I talked about things they didn't want to hear," Ramirez said.

Ramirez is planning to start a Save Our Streets (S.O.S) ministry in Navasota. Community member Adam Zaragoza is leading the local chapter.

"I'm for real," said Zaragoza. "We hope to reach the kids and get them off the streets."

Ramirez established a 24 hour hotline in Navasota for youths to call whenever they have a problem and need to talk.

Those wanting more information may call the hotline at 825-3570.

"If you know you need help, if you know you want out," Ramirez said, "when it seems hopeless, I'm here to tell you there is a way out."

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