My heart breaks hearing your family’s story. It’s a painful thing watching a family member hurting and unable to help but don’t give up on him! I struggled for a two decades with herion addiction. For me family love is one thing I craved but didn’t get so if your son has a loving family then that is a great positive. He might not know it yet but keep letting him see the love and that will help. He needs to see the light on his own, it can’t be forced. I don’t think paying his dealer is a good idea but if violence is involved then I would do the same thing. If it’s hard drugs then look into precautions you can take and have a overdose first aid kit and just hope for the best and prepare for bad! Perhaps writing him a letter telling him the good and the bad of his situation. I hope this helps some. I will think of you and your son today and send best wishes for your family.