NATCHEZ — Last Sunday marked exactly eight years since Roger Allen beat his drug addiction with faith.

The anniversary was of the day Allen said he saw the light and turned to God instead of substance abuse to guide his life.

“God was my rehab,” Allen said.

When The Dart landed on Quitman Street Thursday, Allen, 52, was paying his gratitude forward by mowing an empty lot next to a church.

Sunday was Berean minister Ruby Williams’ first time to preach at the church, and Allen said he wanted to give the lawn a fresh cut for the service.

“The Lord put it on me to do this,” Allen said from his seat on the mower.

Williams said since he has put his life in God’s hands, he is a much happier person, even on his worst days.

“I woke up one morning like I had seen a ghost, and I have never had a desire to do that,” Allen said of his enlightenment.

Allen said he started out smoking marijuana and then became hooked on cocaine.

Allen said he realizes what could have happened had he continued on his path of abuse.

“I could have been dead, hurt or (impacted) my family’s future,” he said. “(Drug addicts) would either be dead or in jail if (they) continue on drugs.”

A life dedicated to the next high was a no-win situation, Allen said.

He said the part of his life brought with it other bad habits, such as hustling or stealing.

“When it comes to drugs, (I was) trying to have that high — that experience — and have it for 30 seconds,” Allen said.

His religious beliefs, however, keep Allen on a natural high all the time, he said.

“Christ and spirituality is kind of a drug,” Allen said.

Before he turned to God and religion, Allen said he thought religion and church was a lifestyle mostly reserved for the elderly.

Allen said Williams preaches the true word, and he is a much happier person now.

“When I sing (in the church choir), I (am) like superman that stepped in a phone booth and changed because I get my praise,” Allen said.

“I keep that feeling all week long.”

Drugs have tempted Allen a few times during the last eight years, he said, but he has stayed focused.

Williams said he was closed off to people when he was hooked on drugs.

Allen said now he never meets a stranger.

Allen shook his head and bit he bottom lip before saying he sometimes looks in the mirror and thinks about how far he has come in recent years.

But he knows his past is a part of him, which is why he testified in church about his addiction.

He said congregation members who knew him and noticed his well-dressed appearance and success and told him, “What? You were on drugs? You?”

Since then, Allen has given guidance to others with drug problems when they came to him for advice.

He prays for the friends he had when he was on drugs, although he left most of them behind with the lifestyle.

When he quit drugs, Allen said he opened up his life for God to give him opportunities.

Natchez Alderman James “Ricky” Gray gave Allen his first job when he got clean, and the job gave him confidence to keep up the good work.

He started out a few years ago earning money cutting three lawns, and now he cuts 15, Allen said.

When he mows a lawn, Allen does the job as best he can whether he is getting paid $10 or $100, he said.

“When you try to help yourself and genuinely help yourself, (other) people will help you,” Allen said.

Although Allen recently lost a job, he said he is not too worried or angry because he knows something else will come along and he supposes it was simply God’s will.

Spirituality has given Allen a free and peaceful mind.

“As soon as I let go (of his old mindset), I let God have his way,” Allen said.

“I feel like I’m going to be alright.”