Bass: Getting caught was a good thing

Nineteen-year-old Alex Bass is looking to become closer to God, get clean and get back to work.

Bass Produce, a company started by the young man, was booming before the owner partook in a drug handed out at a party.

“I started partying and drinking pretty hard because I always had a lot of money,” he said. “I was leaving for the Marines and somebody brought it (meth) out one night. I tried it and then I just couldn’t get off of it.”

Bass was accepted in to the Crossover Ministries addiction recovery program, which started on Sept. 8 and ends in February.

“My uncle knows Red (Coleman) real well and called him for me,” Bass said.

“I came into this program to keep me off of drugs and to get me closer to the Lord.”

Bass said he believes it was a good thing he got caught.

“I was blowing a lot of money and hurting people that I love,” he said. “I was going down the wrong path.

“As soon as I get out of this program, I’m going back to farming,” he said.

The young man has a talent for farming and learned everything he knew from a man who grew large crops, the Rev. James “Red” Coleman said.

“He farmed seven acres of tomatoes two years ago and grossed $75,000,” Coleman said.

Bass is using his knowledge and experience in farming to help with the Crossover Farm.

“We just planted some turnips and collards yesterday, and mustard,” he said. “We’re just getting ready for winter crop.”

Utilizing this talent is something the Rev. James “Red” Coleman looks forward to, but he doesn’t want that to take away from what the true goal of the program.

“I don’t want you to come here with a drug problem, right out of jail and me utilize you,” he said. “I have an obligation to Christ and I have an obligation to you, to bring you here and teach you what we believe about drugs and about addiction.”

So far the program has brought Bass closer to God, he said.

“It’s also helped me get closer to and interact with people I don’t know,” Bass said. “It’s opened my eyes a lot.”

Bass also said he family is supporting him 100 percent.