Original subtitles

[theme music]

[bell ringing]

We found this marijuana cigarette in David's drawer

during a cursory search of the dormitory in anticipation

of the Parents Day open house.

Well, are you really sure that it's David's?

I've been at Cambridge for 23 years, Mr. James.

Each boy is like a son to me, and David

is the first that I've ever had to discipline

for drug possession.

There's no mistake it's his.

I can't believe it.

I just can't believe that our son would--

Dr. Windsor, if you could know us a little better,

the kind of people we are, the kind

of values that we've instilled in David since he was a baby.

I'm sure that's true.

Will the police have to be called in on this?

Oh, I don't see how the situation should

become as drastic as all that.

Dr. Windsor.

I'm, a, a public personality, and, and well,

that kind of thing with police can't help bring down

some very unfair publicity on David, and of course, also

on the school.

Yes, of course.

It's quite right.

That kind of thing would be most unfortunate for David,

and as you say, the school has every reputation

to maintain, a responsibility to the other students and parents.

Because of that, David's going to have to be disciplined

as an example to the other students

so that they'll realize the gravity of the situation.

You're not going to expel him, right?

Well, if it happens again, I'll have no choice.

But from now, my recommendation will

be that he be confined to campus and denied privileges

for the next four weekends.

Well, Dr. Windsor, that seems very fair.

Well, it'll give him a chance to reflect on this problem

and keep them away from the crowd he sees on weekends.

Do you think that David got the marijuana from his friends

at home?

Well, he certainly didn't get it here.

I knew sooner or later something like this would happen.

I've asked two officers from the narcotics squad

to come over here this afternoon to talk

to the students about drugs.

We're not going to have this kind of thing at Cambridge.

Of course, there will be an additional fee

for keeping David here with the weekend boarders.

We'll bill you with next term's tuition.

Of course.

Well, I want to thank you, Doctor, for your understanding

and for your discretion.

Drugs are for losers, and Cambridge

doesn't graduate losers.

Oh, we know that, Doctor.

Yes.

Well, let's hope that David does too.

Thank you.

Hi, Mom.

Hi, Dad.

One question.

Just one, yes or no.

Was that your grass, your marijuana cigarette?

Yes, sir, but a lot of--

Save it.

Save your excuses for your mom.

She may be interested in them.

I'm not.

You let me down, pal, betrayed all of us.

You are a profound disappointment to me, my son.

I have to get back to the studio.

I have to go to work.

Diane, I'll see you at home tonight.

So what's going to happen?

Dr. Winsor's been very understanding

under the circumstances.

You'll be grounded, but you are going to get another chance.

Mom, I'm not a--

I don't want to hear it, David.

Just say no.

It's as simple as that.

From now on, just say no.

OK.

Don't disappoint us again.

And at 8 o'clock in the morning,

the 14-year-old girl turned in her

stepfather for using cocaine.

Police confiscated several grams of the drug,

and the youth authorities say that Rita and her mother

and stepfather will be joining a family

counseling program this week.

Rita's story isn't the first drug-related news item

this report has filed this year, nor, unfortunately,

will it be the last.

Both you and I know that the drug menace has

invaded every level of society, contaminating everything

it touches.

My fervent hope is that because of girls like Rita,

America will have the fortitude and the resolve finally

to stand up to this drug menace.

Sometimes, it is our children who have to lead the way.

You tell 'em, Dad.

I'm not standing up here to talk

to you about the facts of life.

You're all a little bit too old for that.

But as you prepare to go on to college,

I would like to talk to you about the facts of death.

Last year, thousands of teenagers died on our highways

in traffic accidents.

And in most cases, those accidents

were caused by other teenagers who were either

too drunk or too stoned to know how many people they murdered

until they woke up in the hospital

the next day, if they woke up at all.

[yawn]

You, what's your name?

Me?

Yeah, you.

What's your name?

Bradford Dietrich.

Am I boring you, Mr. Dietrich?

Oh, no, sir.

I find this simply fascinating.

It's just that no one at Cambridge uses drugs.

And you're quite sure that, Mr. Dietrich?

Quite sure.

Drugs are for losers.

Cambridge graduates winners.

[laughter]

It's your decision to make.

I mean, you know who among your friends are using drugs.

It's your choice whether you hang out with those guys.

On the news today, there was a story about a girl who turned

her parents in for using drugs.

Yeah.

I'm sure there's some of you here

today whose parents are using drugs,

maybe more than we think.

I mean, they might even lecture you on the dangers of drugs

and go right in the other room and pull out their own stuff.

Guys, you got to call them on it.

If they're going to be hypocrites,

you've got to let them know that you know.

What if they deny it, if they don't admit it?

Guys, listen to me.

Drugs are against the law, but more

importantly, they can kill you.

And if your only choice, to keep your parents from killing

themselves, is to turn them into the police,

then you have got to make that call.

You've got to.

Aren't you going home this weekend?

I'm grounded.

Oh.

You know, I can't believe your parents.

What a couple of creeps that would do that to you.

They could have handled him.

Better take my stash.

Windsor's probably going to have dogs in here this weekend,

sniffing for the old devil weed.

Hey, take it easy.

It's a little late to be getting rid of the evidence,

isn't it?

Hey, Brad.

I just came by to see if you need a little something

for the weekend, and here you are, flushing

my primo stuff down the toilet.

I'm not going to be doing drugs anymore, Brad.

Those narcs didn't scare you, did they?

Well, some of the things they said they made sense.

No, you're just a little frazzed because you got busted.

Don't worry, the store will be open for you when you get back.

Now look, I got to make tracks.

Leah and I are going to the movies tonight.

It's my birthday.

Happy birthday.

Thanks, kid.

What is it?

What's happened?

Is my wife all right? - Your wife's fine.

You better go inside.

What happened?

Was it a robbery?

No, it's wasn't a robbery, Mr. James.

Are you in charge?

I am.

What's going on is that you and your wife

are under arrest, Mr. James, under section 11.32

of the state criminal code, possession

of a controlled substance.

What are you talking about, controlled substance?

We found this in your garage.

It was next to your skis, but it isn't the kind of snow

that you ski on.

That's a mistake.

Do you know who I am?

My wife watches you every night.

Well, you don't have any right to come into my house

and treat my wife and me like this without a warrant.

I hope you've got one.

We don't need a warrant, sir.

We have probable cause.

What probable cause?

We received a tip.

A tip?

From who?

From me.

What the hell is going on here?

Uh, gentlemen, would you excuse me just for a minute,

let me talk to my son?

I can't do that.

We're going to have to take you and the wife down

to the station.

That's insane.

Who's going to take care of our son?

Officers Smith and Gordon will be

taking the boy to a county shelter

till this matter can be cleared up.

Anybody could have put that stuff, whatever it is,

in the garage, and you know it.

I know that, sir, but your boy told us where to look.

You have the right to remain silent.

If you give up the right to remain silent, anything you say

can and will be used against you in a court of law.

You have the right to speak with an attorney

and you have the attorney present during questioning.

If you so desire and cannot afford one,

an attorney will be appointed to you without

charge before questioning.

[music playing]

[music playing]

He didn't have to stay in this place.

Well, for some kids, it's their only chance.

Maybe for some kids, but not for David.

What do you mean?

I mean, I am the one who gave him the big pep

talk on turning his parents in.

What, now you're not so sure?

Well, you got to admit, Jonathan.

I mean, the James's didn't look very guilty.

I mean, I should know.

I was a cop.

Let's see what we can find out from him.

[phone ringing]

Hey, David?

How are you doing?

Did you come to take me home?

No, son.

You can't go home yet.

I talked to your mom this morning.

She and your dad are going to stop by later today.

Well, will they take me home?

I'm afraid they can't take you home

until after the juvenile court judge decides whether they're

fit to take you.

There should be a hearing on Monday or Tuesday.

Fit?

They're my parents.

They've been charged with a serious crime.

Listen, son, we know you were being disciplined

by Dr. Windsor and your folks.

If there's anything you want to change in your story,

let's do it now before anybody gets

hurt any worse than they are.

You don't believe me, do you?

This is serious.

If your folks need help, let's get it for them.

But if you're just trying to get back at them,

I think we got to know that now so this thing

doesn't go any further.

I told the truth.

Done.

If I'm guilty, there's no way in the world you can keep

me on air as an anchor man.

I know that.

That's flat.

As it happens, happily, I'm not guilty.

Just let me go on the air this afternoon,

I can straighten out this whole mess.

You're going to have to use this story.

Between now and then, just make sure you

say I'll have a full statement to make on the 6 o'clock news.

At least we can get some ratings out of this thing.

Thanks, Don.

Yeah.

OK.

Bye bye.

Did you mean what you told the station manager about being

able to straighten things out?

I better mean it, if you would like

to go on living in this house.

Son or not, the truth has to come out.

Why would he do this?

He was caught with marijuana in the dorm.

We grounded for four weekends.

This is his way of getting even.

I just can't believe David would

do something like that to us.

That's what drugs do to people.

It was David who made the phone call to the police, David

who knew where the drugs were.

What are we going to do?

The only thing we can do.

He needs help.

He's going to get it.

But I'm not going to sit here and watch everything we've

built destroyed because somebody in this family

is a drug addict.

[chatter]

Look who's here.

How are you doing, Brad?

Mr. Smith.

Should have known you'd be a Clint Eastwood fan.

This is my girlfriend, Leah.

Nice to meet you, Leah.

I've never met a cop before who doesn't wear a uniform.

Are you on some kind of assignment?

Yeah, you could say that.

Can I talk to you for a minute, Brad?

Sure.

I always have time for the police.

Be back in a minute.

So you heard about what happened to David's parents?

Yeah.

Who would have guessed?

Ronald James, Mr. Clean.

Dr. Windsor's probably crossing his name off of the alumni

roster as we speak.

Yeah, well, I'm more concerned with David

right now than I am with his father.

What does this have to do with me?

Well, we know someone's dealing

drugs at Cambridge, such as marijuana, speed, coke,

you name it.

And you want me to help catch him?

No, I want you to retire him today, before I have to.

Sounds like you think I'm some friend of his.

You're more than just a friend, Brad.

You better have some proof before you go around accusing

people of dealing drugs.

This is America.

Even cops have to have proof.

I got my rights.

What about the rights of the kids you're poisoning?

Hey, I don't need this.

You want to search me?

Go ahead.

You want to search my room at school, get a warrant.

[music playing]

You sure you don't want some dinner?

I told you I'm not hungry.

[phone ringing]

They should have been here by now.

Hey, don't worry.

They'll come.

Hello?

Yes, he is.

David, it's your mom.

Mom, where are you?

The station?

Is everything all right?

I mean, dad didn't get fired or anything.

Officer Gordon, can you turn on the television?

My dad's going to make a statement.

OK, I'll call you right after.

RONALD JAMES (ON TV): It's just sort of instinctive, I guess.

We all think that this country's drug menace

is the other guy's problem.

Well, as you may have heard on this newscast,

last night that problem came to my house.

It started yesterday afternoon when the headmaster

of my son's school told us that our son,

David, was a drug user.

Last night, the police came to our house

and more drugs were found on the premises.

My wife and I were understandably shocked

until we discovered it was David who phoned in the drug

tip in a desperate attempt to draw attention

away from his own guilt.

David has started seeing a drug counselor this afternoon,

and my wife and I will join him later this evening.

Like any parents, we've been asking

ourselves where we went wrong.

But I'm not sure that there's a true answer there are.

So many factors are--

[music playing]

That boy's father's got a lot of guts.

It wasn't easy for him to make that statement.

You know, David, what your dad did today he did for you

and for other kids like you.

You're pretty lucky to have him for a dad.

So he tells me.

How much longer till we get there?

Another half hour.

[doorbell ring]

I'm sorry, mom.

I'm so sorry this happened. but I just--

It's all right.

We know now that by calling the police,

you were really crying out for help for yourself.

It's good to have you home.

We'll beat this business together.

It wasn't my coke.

Well, let's talk about it later.

It's been a long day for everybody.

Just because you said it on television

doesn't mean it's the truth.

Honey, why don't you and I go up to your room now.

I want to thank you two gentlemen for everything

that you've done.

If it wasn't for your support--

Hey, we're both very fond of David.

Well, we are too, ordinarily.

The drug counselor said that denial

is common in young drug users.

It's supposed to be the first sign of addiction.

Yeah, well, denial is very common among all drug addicts,

both young and old.

Oh.

Well, we better be going.

Good night, sir.

Good night.

[doorbell ring]

Mr. Dietrich, I'm Officer Smith.

I spoke at your son's school last Friday.

Oh, yes.

You're the vice cop that Brad talked about.

Come in, Officer.

Thank you.

MRS. DIETRICH: Is something wrong?

This is Mrs. Dietrich.

Hello.

Well, Brad's not home, Officer.

I think he's out with his girl.

Oh, I didn't come here to talk to Brad, Mrs. Dietrich.

Why don't we go into the living room?

Make yourself comfortable.

Thank you very much.

What can I do for you, Officer?

Mr. Dietrich, I wish there was an easier way to say this,

but I have reason to believe that your son, Brad, has been

dealing drugs at Cambridge.

Brad mixed up with drugs?

That's impossible.

Brad could never be involved with drugs, Officer.

He's the most popular boy in the school.

Your son is popular, Mrs. Dietrich, but I guarantee you,

it's not because of his personality.

I tried to talk to him yesterday and I didn't have any luck.

I thought if he heard it from his family.

His family doesn't believe you, Officer.

His family knows him a little better than you.

Now I think it's time for you to leave.

I'm sorry that's your attitude.

And the next time you come in the house

and accuse my son of peddling drugs,

you better have a warrant.

You know, it's really funny.

That's what your son said.

Get a warrant.

Look, Mr. Dietrich, I didn't come here to bust your son.

I came here to help him.

I was hoping you'd feel the same way.

We'll take care of our son, Officer.

Well, you better be, because otherwise I'm going to,

and then it's going to be too late

for your son, Mr. Dietrich.

I'll show myself out.

Got a minute.

What do you want?

Well, I want to talk.

I already did to your viewers.

I came home early so that we could discuss

this, as they say, man to man.

It was your coke.

I did it so it wouldn't kill you.

Yes, it was my coke.

And I know that what you did, you did out of love,

and I love you for it.

I just did it so that you would stop.

I know.

I know.

But now you've got to grow up very

fast, because this is the real world we're dancing in here.

This is not a hypothetical speech you get at school.

Drugs can kill.

Cocaine kills, dad.

I know what cocaine does, my son.

Yes, it kills people who can't--

who don't know when to stop, young people.

But I can handle this substance.

David, try to understand.

Some days I'm working 16, 17 hours

preparing, just to get ready to do the 11 o'clock news.

Then I got to go on looking fresh.

That's the name of the game.

That doesn't mean I--

I'm not an addict.

Then quit.

All right.

All right.

Maybe it is time I quit.

Do you mean that?

I promise.

But if I get busted for coke, my boy, we lose everything.

I lose my job.

We lose this house.

We lose it all.

That's the real world, kiddo.

But if you'll help me out of this jam

you got me into, without even talking to me first--

if you tell the judge that the coke was yours,

worst you'll get is a slap on the wrist, maybe a week or two

in drug school.

Won't even go on your record.

If I say it was mine, promise me you'll stop.

I promise you before almighty God.

No, let's go down and tell your mom.

And let's not tell her about our arrangement,

because she doesn't know anything about this, about me.

You know, now that I'm going to quit anyway,

there's no sense in upsetting her.

All right.

I love you, dad.

I love you, my boy.

[music playing]

Hey, bro.

How is the Abominable Snowman at Cambridge prep today?

Knock it off, Brad.

Hey, I just came by to give you your books,

that is, in case they ever let you back.

I'm not coming back, but thanks.

Sure.

What are friends for?

I also figured, since they got your stash,

maybe you need a little more.

It wasn't mine.

I told you that before.

It was my dad's.

And you're going to take the rap for him?

Look, I've never even tried cocaine.

Well then, don't you figure he owes you?

What do you mean?

I mean, if you're going to do the time,

you might as well enjoy the crime, you know?

How about a little, too?

No.

Listen, thanks for bringing my books by

but why don't you take off, OK?

Sure thing.

Just remember, if you ever need a little something,

don't go to a stranger, you know what I mean?

Later, bro.

And you have proof of this prevalent drug use on campus?

Yes, I can give you proof, but I'd rather

not get involved that way.

What's important right now is that the parents

realize what's happening.

What I'd like you to do is call a special parents

assembly so I can talk to them.

Now, I'm afraid that's impossible, Officer Smith.

We don't like to involve the parents in these matters.

That's why they send the boys to Cambridge,

so that we can teach them the discipline and values

that are needed in the world.

It's just my point, Dr. Windsor.

I mean, no school can deal with this kind of drug problem

without involving the parents.

I mean, parental example and concern is

at the heart of the solution.

But you have to admit, even Cambridge, with all

of its Ivy and tradition, can't replace

a boy's mother and father.

I must say, Officer Smith, you have a lot to say about a world

you obviously know nothing about.

Are you telling me you won't call an assembly?

I can't unduly alarm the parents.

You know, you say you treat each one of these boys

like it's your own, and yet you let

them destroy themselves rather than offend their parents.

You know, I think you're more concerned with your endowment

fund, doctor, than you are with the boys.

[music playing]

Dad.

David.

You surprised me.

Can't get used to the idea of being

home in the middle of the day.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

What does it look like I'm doing?

Nothing.

What does that mean?

It means nothing.

Nothing means nothing.

Nothing does.

[music playing]

[dialing]

Brad, it's David.

Yeah, listen.

Why don't you come over this afternoon?

My parents are gone.

Like you said, he owes me one.

[MUSIC - ROBERT PALMER, "ADDICTED TO LOVE"]

Might as well face it, you're addicted to love.

Might as well face it, you're addicted to love.

You're addicted to love.

You're addicted to love.

Might as well face it, you're addicted to love.

Might as well face it, you're addicted to love.

Might as well face it, you're addicted to love.

[knock on door]

MRS. JAMES: David?

David?

Let me in.

[music continuing]

Is not your own.

Your heart sweats.

David, what's going on here?

You're not back on drugs again, are you?

No, mom.

Some friends stopped by.

We had a few beers.

Well, you're going to have hell to pay

when your father comes home.

We're not sending you to a drug counselor

so you can become a drunk.

Don't worry, mom.

It'll be all right.

We'll see how all right it is when your father gets here.

He won't be mad.

Believe me, dad's real understanding.

Ronald, thank God you're home. David is--

Can't stop. I left part of my lead story.

I got to get right back.

David is back on drugs.

That's nonsense.

No, Ronald.

Just please go talk to him, will you?

I'll be with you in a minute.

OK, let's make it quick.

David, what is this your mother is telling me?

You're doing drugs?

Hi, dad.

Oh, no.

We just had a few beers.

You didn't act like someone who just had a few beers.

Dad, we had our talk.

We both know the importance of being honest with one another,

don't we?

Don't we, dad?

Yeah.

Yeah, we do.

He's just had a few beers, that's all.

It's nothing to get all upset about.

Ronald?

I've got to go.

I'm going to miss the broadcast.

Told you he'd understand.

DISPATCH: Baker 2-4.

Baker 2-4.

You have a message from a Mrs. James, to call her.

She said it's urgent.

Make it 2-4. Roger.

Let's hit the floor.

[sirens]

[phone ringing]

MRS. JAMES (ON PHONE): Hello?

Mrs. James, Officer Smith.

MRS. JAMES (ON PHONE): Officer Smith, thank god.

What's wrong?

MRS. JAMES (ON PHONE): I've been trying to reach my husband,

but they won't interrupt him on the air.

It's David.

He's locked in his room.

He's swearing and acting crazy.

I'm sure he's back on drugs.

All right, you take it easy.

We'll be right there.

[sirens]

[knock on door]

MRS. JAMES: David?

Officer Smith and Gordon are here.

They'd like to talk to you.

JONATHAN SMITH: Come on, open up the door, David.

You don't look so good, son.

I don't feel so good.

David, we want to know what's going on.

He promised me he'd stop.

I should have known.

Promised?

Who promised?

My dad.

My dad, that's who.

What's he talking about?

What's happened to my son?

RONALD JAMES: Diane?

David?

Ronald?

RONALD JAMES: Diane, where the hell are you?

Ronald.

What is that police car doing outside?

David is back on drugs.

What?

He's up there mumbling things about some promise

that you've broken to him.

Promise?

What promise?

The promise that you made to him.

If he took the blame for the cocaine we found in the garage,

you'd stop using drugs.

He said that?

I don't know what he's talking about.

Oh, yes, you do, because it's the truth.

Oh, that's ridiculous.

Ronald doesn't use drugs, Officer Smith.

He hates drugs.

Ronald, tell them that it isn't true.

Of course it's not true.

He's under a great deal of stress.

He's had a relapse or something.

Come on, Mr. James.

Your son didn't have a relapse.

He never used cocaine until today when he saw you doing it.

I don't have to put up with this.

It's very easy to prove me wrong.

Just show me the contents of the vial

you have in your jacket pocket.

OK, that's it, Smith.

You don't have probable cause and you don't have a warrant.

I want you out of here now.

Now, look.

You can't bust him.

It'll never stick.

I said out.

There's nothing more we can do tonight, Mrs. James.

Just remember you don't need a warrant to save your family.

What are you looking at me?

You don't believe it?

What's in your pocket?

What are you doing?

What's in your pocket?

What's happening to you?

What's in your pocket?

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Your own son.

You betrayed your own son for what's in here.

Get out of here.

Diane, listen.

Go to your station.

Read your notes.

Go do your drugs.

Just get out of here.

Get out.

Get out.

Get out.

[crying]

[music playing]

I still can't believe it.

A father doing that to his own son.

It's cocaine, Mark.

It changes people.

The drug becomes everything.

Their friends, their family, they don't mean a thing.

DISPATCH: Code 3.

Code 3 in the parking lot on 14th and Broadway.

A girl passed out.

Possible drug overdose.

All units in the vicinity proceed.

Let's hit it.

[music playing]

[sirens]

Out of the way.

Out of the way.

Move.

Move.

What happened?

I don't know.

She must have just passed out or something.

Did she take any pills?

Is she on drugs?

No.

No, there was nothing.

If she doesn't have a chance, you're

going to have to tell him.

Get the vein's pulse.

She's going quick.

Tell him.

It was cocaine.

[murmuring]

[chatter]

You OK, Ron?

Yeah.

You sure?

I'm OK.

Get away from me.

All right.

All right, I just asked.

New lead story just came in.

It's another kiddo.

CREW: Places, please.

Places, Ron.

[news music]

SPEAKER: And now, the Action Witness News at 6:00.

Stand by.

SPEAKER: With the most respected news man, Ronald James--

3, 2.

SPEAKER: --and the Action Witness news team.

Something's wrong with him.

Punch up a slide.

I said punch up a slide.

I can't.

It won't work.

A young girl is dead tonight from an overdose of cocaine.

I knew the girl.

She was a friend of my son.

But it could just as easily have been my child or yours.

And when you read about the death of Leah Barnes

in tomorrow's paper, most of you will want to blame somebody--

the boy who gave her the drugs or the gangsters who brought

the drugs into the country or the politicians who

can't stop them.

And maybe you'd be right.

But it's also my fault that this child is dead,

because I'm a drug user, too.

You want me to pull the plug?

Maybe I can shut off his mic.

No.

Shoot closer.

I've been a cocaine addict for the past four years.

So it was my money that helped build the drug

empire in this country.

And it was my habit that made me betray my own son,

because I couldn't admit that I'm an addict.

But you don't have to be a drug addict

to be a part of the problem.

As parents, we can't depend on the police and the paramedics

to save our children, and your children

can't just write off what they do as being cool or getting

kicks.

The police, the courts, county social services

these are second options.

The first option is you, the families of this country.

I betrayed myself and my family.

Don't you do it to yours.

They're all you've got.

They're all any of us ever have.

[music playing]