The Drug Knot is a 1986 CBS Schoolbreak Special, a cautionary tale about teenage drug dependency.

The Drug Knot
GenreDrama
Family
Romance
Written byDavid Villaire
Directed byAnson Williams
StarringDermot Mulroney
David Toma
David Faustino
Tracy Nelson
Kim Myers
Theme music composerRobert De La Garza
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerArnold Shapiro
Production locationsMarshall Fundamental Secondary School - 990 Allen Avenue, Pasadena, California
CinematographyStephen L. Posey
EditorCraig Ridenour
Running time96 minutes
Production companiesCBS Schoolbreak Special Telefilm
CBS
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 10, 1986 (1986-09-10)

Plot

edit

High-school student Doug Dawson has it all: a loving family (composed of his younger brother and their parents), a terrific girlfriend, a rock band he plays in after school...and a drug habit. He began by smoking marijuana but is now seeking more dangerous highs. The latter costs him everything else, as his behavior becomes increasingly erratic and alienation – some of it mutual – sets in. Doug wanders into an anti-drug lecture by David Toma, playing himself, but Doug is eventually ejected for disruptive behavior. In his bedroom, Doug snorts a line of cocaine, unaware his younger brother is watching from the doorway.

Doug's girlfriend tires of his volatile behavior and she convinces Doug's mother to meet with the charismatic Toma to get help for Doug. Initially in denial, Mrs. Dawson agrees to seek help for her son. However, unlike most young people's specials, The Drug Knot has a completely downbeat ending. Doug's adoring younger brother Louie finds his brother's drug supply and snorts a line himself. Doug arrives home to find Louie floating face down in the family swimming pool. As Doug frantically jumps into the pool to rescue Louie, a voiceover of Toma asks: "You kids are killing yourselves...for what?"

Cast

edit
edit