Glass houses.

A series of deeply personal testimonies from individuals recounting their experiences with drug use and addiction, likely part of a 1970s or 1980s drug education film. Beginning with a woman’s account of being prescribed diet pills to lose weight, the stories unfold into a broader depiction of escalating dependency, emotional breakdowns, and severe physical and mental health consequences. Individuals describe their use of methamphetamines, Ritalin, barbiturates, and alcohol, revealing patterns of insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, loss of self-control, and fractured relationships. Vietnam veterans recount how stimulant use began during their service and continued afterward, leading to job loss, family separation, and addiction. Several speakers reflect on the false sense of confidence drugs provided, the harsh aftermath of crashing, and the difficult, ongoing struggle to regain stability. The narrative closes with expressions of regret, particularly about unknowingly exposing loved ones to harmful substances, offering a raw, painful look at the long-lasting impact of drug abuse on individuals and their families.

Produced in cooperation with the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic

Producer, Benn Wooten; direction, John Norris; camera, David Espar; camera and edit, Robert Moore; stills, Joaquin Villegas