Second Generations (69): Tony Hoang - from drug dealer to drug educator

At 13, Tony Hoang escaped the loneliness and domestic violence of his home life and joined one of the most notorious crime gangs in Cabramatta, finding himself jailed a year later. Tony continued to deal drugs when he was released. It seemed at the time that the gang gave him a sense of belonging and self-importance. At the age of 16, he faced the harsh reality of this lifestyle by losing a close friend to a drug overdose, and almost gunned down at 19 years old.

Tony Hoang Source: SBS

In 2004, Tony made some powerful positive choices that changed his life forever. With 13 friends who died as a result of that destructive life style, Tony shares his heart-wrenching story of redemption to schools, councils and organisations all over the country and abroad. Tony has over 10yrs experience working with disengaged youths and has devoted his life to helping people break free from the same destructive cycle he was once trapped in. Now a husband and a father to 4 beautiful children, Tonys serves as a pastor, a chaplain and a community leader within Liverpool Sydney, Australia.