Distant Drummer, Bridge from No Place (Airlie/GWU, 1969)

This film describes the 1960s drug culture. Addicts discuss their experiences in the United States and in Vietnam. Dr. Stanley Yolles, director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), talks about the drug culture and the NIMH role in prevention and treatment. The tape describes growth in the use of marijuana and heroin. David Bazelon, chief judge, U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., clarifies the narcotics laws. The state of California's attempts to develop a civil commitment program focused on treatment rather than punishment are described. In 1966, the Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act is the first law to give the addict a choice of treatment or jail. Synanon in California is a private, self-help, residential community that helps people deal with their addictions. New York's Daytop Village works not only with addicts on addictions, but on developing a new lifestyle. Methadone, though still experimental, has proved to be an effective treatment for heroin addiction. Dr. Vincent Dole, of New York's Rockefeller University, justifies the program. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101299851. Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films