Why are you so fixated on his dreadlocks?
From the brief info you’ve given he has far more serious problems related to growing up with a dysfunctional drug abusing Mother.
Trust me, his hair is the LEAST of the issues threatening to seriously derail (or end) his life. I honestly don’t understand why the hair is such an apparently huge issue for you. I’m totally mystified.
If you are trying to help this boy I guarantee you that if you make the mistake of lecturing him about his hair, you will sabotage your efforts and he will totally tune you out because he will know you don’t have a clue.
You are majoring in minors (minor issues that is). He needs professional counseling with someone skilled in dealing with troubled teens and hopefully there’s an Al anon or Al ateen group near him or you.
If he can begin to develop some semblance of self esteem he can decide whether its worth keeping the dreads if they end up hassling him about it.
To be honest, the lack of bathing troubles me far more than the hair as it is indicative of a lack of self care and likely pervasive depression. And, quite frankly, if I had a Mother like that I’d be damn depressed and see little hope in life.
This kid desperately needs for someone to be in his corner not hassle him about his hair.
He needs encouragement to use that mind of his to pursue higher education so he stands a chance at a fulfilling career.
His hair is so totally beside the point that words fail me.