Narcotics: DR-16

Friday and Gannon are working the narcotics division. A local businessman comes to the station to discuss an idea he has. He thinks that anti-drug programs often fail because despite the information being good and helpful, it being presented by adults and police is THE problem. His idea is to start an anti-drug program in a local high school with the intention that the students themselves become the leaders and pass on the message that illegal drugs are stupid. Friday and Gannon agree to come to the first meeting...just to watch and lend their moral support.

The first meeting works well (perhaps too well to be realistic) but the number of kids attending is tiny. So Friday goes about pulling some strings to give the group a hand. When the second meeting is about to start, something is amiss---where are all the kids?!? Tune in and see.

While I appreciated the idea of this episode, I wonder just how effective such programs are--and I felt it was a tad preachy. I actually think that the best way to address teen drug use is a bit different. I think that parents and teachers (especially the geekiest ones) need to actually ENCOURAGE drug use. I figure if we tell kids to do it, they naturally WON'T!

I tend to consider discussion episodes of this series as among the least engaging. This one has something going for it. Howard Culver has an idea for a drug prevention group where kids discourage other kids from using. Heather Menzies from Sound of Music helps lead the group. A terrific scene involves Friday and Gannon eliciting the help of an artist to make posters. The beginning is disturbing yet effective.