A Severe Regret: An Experience with Heroin Dealers at a Subway

When reflecting on the past, there are occasions where we look back and wonder why we didn't take the necessary steps to protect ourselves or others. I have this kind of regret related to my experience during my teenage years, an event that involved illegal activities but which, with my inaction, could have led to significant positive change.

The Work Environment

During my 16th year, I found myself working at a local subway for a period of time. The atmosphere at this establishment was a bit unconventional, to say the least. The owner, Mr. Talbot, presented a paradox of being an ultracapitalist at the same time as showing a disturbing lack of adherence to the law. Despite the irony, he was a nice guy with a few quirks.

Red Flags and Suspicion

The employees at the subway were a diverse group: a college student, a middle-aged Mormon who was likely a church member, a single mother, and, chillingly, a known heroin dealer.

Mr. Dealer, as I referred to him (the name was shorthand for the employees, to spare our tongues), carried several heavy duffle bags to work every day. Rumors and our personal deductions suggested that these bags contained more than office supplies. His habit of consulting his four cellphones at any given point also raised suspicion.

The Verbal Warnings

We got our first clue when one of our coworkers, Sarah, mentioned to her friend that she had never been worried about the contents of his bags, as he had explicitly told her not to be.

Mr. Talbot's Unconventional Behavior

Despite appearing to be in his mid-fifties, overweight, and balding, Mr. Talbot would often interact with younger women. On days off, he would bring in groups of girls, make them sandwiches, and refuse to pay for any of it. It was clear that he was up to something.

The Smoking Gun

The strongest evidence came to light when we found numerous syringes containing traces of H. Mr. Dealer would leave them unattended in the fridge, under the counter, even in our uniforms. I alone spotted at least 20 of these syringes during my time at the subway.

The Impact on Work

Not only was Mr. Dealer blatantly involved in illegal activities, but his behavior also made working at the subway a nightmare. The establishment, though not very busy, operated on three shifts: lunch, dinner, and late-night. Mr. Dealer would often show up over an hour late, providing excuses ranging from taking his father to the hospital to a sudden need for rest. Despite frequent tardiness, he would sometimes ask colleagues to cover his shifts, only to abscond and leave us with the problem of his absence.

Impact on the Workday

The situation was compounded by the fact that he was woefully inefficient in his role. During his closing shifts, he would only complete half of the tasks that needed to be done. This caused considerable inconvenience, as those who worked the opening shift the following night had to pick up the slack, often leading to an extremely stressful workday.

The Opportunity Missed

Despite all these red flags, I never reported Mr. Dealer to the authorities. In retrospect, this is one of the biggest regrets of my life. My family has experienced the devastating consequences of the heroin epidemic, and every time I think about those syringes, I realize how narrowly I missed an opportunity to prevent harm.

A Lesson Learned

Each day, I remind myself of this incident and its lessons. I've come to understand the severity of those involved in the illegal drug trade, and I implore anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to take action. The consequences of inaction can be life-altering, and in some cases, even fatal.

I wish every individual involved in or around illegal activities the best, but justice and safety are paramount. Next time, I am sure to take the necessary steps to ensure a safer and healthier environment for everyone.