The Drug Knot

Last updated
The Drug Knot
GenreDrama
Family
Romance
Written by David Villaire
Directed by Anson Williams
Starring Dermot Mulroney
David Toma
David Faustino
Tracy Nelson
Kim Myers
Theme music composer Robert De La Garza
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Producer Arnold Shapiro
Production locations Marshall Fundamental Secondary School - 990 Allen Avenue, Pasadena, California
Cinematography Stephen L. Posey
Editor Craig Ridenour
Running time96 minutes
Production companies CBS Schoolbreak Special Telefilm
CBS
Original release
Network CBS
ReleaseSeptember 10, 1986 (1986-09-10)

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

Contents

Plot

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


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