SUBJECT: NARCOTICS

Year Published: 1951

Creator: narcotic-educational-foundation-of-america-denis-and-terry-sanders

Description: Produced by the Narcotic Educational Foundation of America and directed by Denis and Terry Sanders, "Subject: Narcotics" outlines the dangers of drug addiction, the types of narcotics, the economics of the drug trade, law enforcement challenges, and the low success rate of recovery. 0:00 The film opens with a symbolic image of an eye with a needle in it, which is presented as a symbol of narcotic addiction "poisoning the blood of our country." An addict suffering from withdrawal is shown. 1:27 It is stated that the addict "lives from fix to fix," and their life is a "torturous search from day to day" for the next dose. 2:29 To defeat this enemy, one must first understand it. 2:59 A "shooting gallery" is introduced as a room where addicts inject narcotics. While not everyone in the room may be an addict yet, all will eventually become one. 3:31 The film classifies narcotics into three groups: opiates (opium, morphine, heroin), synthetic drugs (Demerol, methadone), and the cocaine/marijuana group . All are described as addictive except for marijuana. 4:10 Cocaine, derived from the Peruvian coca plant, is described as "strongly addictive." 4:16 Marijuana is identified by its saw-toothed leaf with an odd number of "fingers." The film explains that while marijuana is non-addictive , its greatest danger is that it's a "stepping stone to the harder drugs." It is claimed that 95% of narcotic addicts begin with marijuana . 5:13 The film distinguishes dangerous drugs from narcotics, specifically mentioning barbiturates (sleeping pills), which are described as highly addictive. 5:41 It is stated that all of these drugs have legitimate medical uses but are "perverted to secure an escape from reality" by addicts. 6:04 Heroin is the "strongest, most devastating opiate that exists." The process of preparing heroin using a spoon, water, and an eyedropper, a process called "cooking." This can lead to the transmission of communicable diseases. 7:15 Smoking opium and marijuana. Marijuana is the most prevalent narcotic among juveniles and is often the first step toward heroin. 8:06 Continuous use of barbiturates can lead to physical damage to the brain, kidneys, and liver. 9:18 Physical signs of addiction, such as scars on the arms and legs from collapsed veins. 9:32 Most narcotics are smuggled into the country. 10:39 Narcotics are a multi-million dollar business . An ounce of heroin that costs $30 in Europe is worth $300 in the U.S. and can be diluted (a process called "cutting") with milk sugar to yield 5 to 10 ounces. The original $30 ounce of heroin can have a final retail value of $3,000. 12:18 It is noted that marijuana is less profitable and only "habit forming," so peddlers often try to convert young users to the more profitable heroin. 12:33 Addicts come from "all races and professions." They often start young, and quickly become hooked on expensive drugs, resorting to crime to support their habit. 14:30 There may be 10,000 women and 30,000 men who are drug addicts in the city shown. 14:40 The challenges of law enforcement are discussed, including weak laws, apathetic judges, and understaffed anti-narcotics forces. 15:59 Officers making an arrest, explaining the legal definition of narcotics possession and the necessity of having at least two officers for an arrest. The confiscated material must be analyzed by a chemist to be used as evidence. 18:01 The film shows the addict's desperate state, noting that while they may seem "almost human" on drugs, they become a "desperate, tortured animal" without them. 18:26 It is stated that while physical addiction can be treated in about 6 weeks, there is "no known permanent cure" for the psychological need . 19:07 Precautions taken in prisons to prevent smuggling, such as soaking clothing in water to dissolve any drugs. 19:40 An addict, even after suffering through withdrawal, will likely "slip back" because narcotics have "weakened his character, deteriorated his will." It is claimed that 99 out of 100 addicts relapse . 20:43 The only hope lies in prevention. Stronger laws, more enforcement, and, most importantly, public education are important. Every young person should be warned about the dangers of marijuana and the addictiveness of opiates.

Complete Record: Produced by the Narcotic Educational Foundation of America and directed by Denis and Terry Sanders, "Subject: Narcotics" outlines the dangers of drug addiction, the types of narcotics, the economics of the drug trade, law enforcement challenges, and the low success rate of recovery. 0:00 The film opens with a symbolic image of an eye with a needle in it, which is presented as a symbol of narcotic addiction "poisoning the blood of our country." An addict suffering from withdrawal is shown. 1:27 It is stated that the addict "lives from fix to fix," and their life is a "torturous search from day to day" for the next dose. 2:29 To defeat this enemy, one must first understand it. 2:59 A "shooting gallery" is introduced as a room where addicts inject narcotics. While not everyone in the room may be an addict yet, all will eventually become one. 3:31 The film classifies narcotics into three groups: opiates (opium, morphine, heroin), synthetic drugs (Demerol, methadone), and the cocaine/marijuana group . All are described as addictive except for marijuana. 4:10 Cocaine, derived from the Peruvian coca plant, is described as "strongly addictive." 4:16 Marijuana is identified by its saw-toothed leaf with an odd number of "fingers." The film explains that while marijuana is non-addictive , its greatest danger is that it's a "stepping stone to the harder drugs." It is claimed that 95% of narcotic addicts begin with marijuana . 5:13 The film distinguishes dangerous drugs from narcotics, specifically mentioning barbiturates (sleeping pills), which are described as highly addictive. 5:41 It is stated that all of these drugs have legitimate medical uses but are "perverted to secure an escape from reality" by addicts. 6:04 Heroin is the "strongest, most devastating opiate that exists." The process of preparing heroin using a spoon, water, and an eyedropper, a process called "cooking." This can lead to the transmission of communicable diseases. 7:15 Smoking opium and marijuana. Marijuana is the most prevalent narcotic among juveniles and is often the first step toward heroin. 8:06 Continuous use of barbiturates can lead to physical damage to the brain, kidneys, and liver. 9:18 Physical signs of addiction, such as scars on the arms and legs from collapsed veins. 9:32 Most narcotics are smuggled into the country. 10:39 Narcotics are a multi-million dollar business . An ounce of heroin that costs $30 in Europe is worth $300 in the U.S. and can be diluted (a process called "cutting") with milk sugar to yield 5 to 10 ounces. The original $30 ounce of heroin can have a final retail value of $3,000. 12:18 It is noted that marijuana is less profitable and only "habit forming," so peddlers often try to convert young users to the more profitable heroin. 12:33 Addicts come from "all races and professions." They often start young, and quickly become hooked on expensive drugs, resorting to crime to support their habit. 14:30 There may be 10,000 women and 30,000 men who are drug addicts in the city shown. 14:40 The challenges of law enforcement are discussed, including weak laws, apathetic judges, and understaffed anti-narcotics forces. 15:59 Officers making an arrest, explaining the legal definition of narcotics possession and the necessity of having at least two officers for an arrest. The confiscated material must be analyzed by a chemist to be used as evidence. 18:01 The film shows the addict's desperate state, noting that while they may seem "almost human" on drugs, they become a "desperate, tortured animal" without them. 18:26 It is stated that while physical addiction can be treated in about 6 weeks, there is "no known permanent cure" for the psychological need . 19:07 Precautions taken in prisons to prevent smuggling, such as soaking clothing in water to dissolve any drugs. 19:40 An addict, even after suffering through withdrawal, will likely "slip back" because narcotics have "weakened his character, deteriorated his will." It is claimed that 99 out of 100 addicts relapse . 20:43 The only hope lies in prevention. Stronger laws, more enforcement, and, most importantly, public education are important. Every young person should be warned about the dangers of marijuana and the addictiveness of opiates.