Possession With Intent to Sell While on Parole

my bf is being charged with possession w/ intent to sell. he is currently on parole but hasnt been checking in with his parole officer since he was released last year. hes on parole for grand theft auto and numerous possession of stolen property.
police pulled over my bf's friend while my bf was the passenger. he hid 8 grams of meth in a cd book but after police found it, he admitted that it was his and they also found 3.4 grams on his friend. his friend is being charged with transportation and possession and my bf is being charged with scounding and possession w/ intent to sell.
what can i do to help him? someone suggested that i go and plead with his parole officer. would this help? what could i possibly say?
how much time is he looking at? is there any possible way out of this? or at least to get the charges dropped down to possession only? thanks.

Can you help him get a criminal defense lawyer?

i really can't afford one right now. i called around and the lowest price i got was $2500, another $2500 if it goes to trial and $500 for every court appearance. i really dont have that kind of money right now. do you think a public defender will do?

His applying for a court-appointed lawyer would be a very good idea, if he has not already done so.

so how much time is he looking at? and do you think if i went and talked to his parole officer and begged him to not recommend jail time that it would help?