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[www.DrDave.org] [Haight Ashbury Free Clinics">

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[www.DrDave.org] [Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc]
The Haight Ashbury Free Clinics - The 1999 HAFC Logo
The Haight Ashbury Free Clinics
Speedscene:
Problems of Amphetamine Abuse
1969 16mm film, 800 ft., color, live action
Dr David Smith Web Site.
Dr Dave's Web Site

Synopsis: Doctors are interviewed and talk about the use and misuse of "speed" -- not just among young people, but all classes and ages. Shots of a hippy having a bad trip in a Haight-Ashbury clinic; interviews with various people who misused speed -- the young man first interviewed is asked how he felt while on speed -- he responds "groovy." Young people who started "dropping" or "hitting" speed, talk about how they lost friends and made new low-life friends, how someone they knew almost died; a doctor talks about what kids have to do to get speed -- turn tricks, deal, forge prescriptions (called a "script"). One woman who's interviewed is still doing speed, and her affect is very flat and depressed -- she barely has enough energy to speak, she uses barbituates and heroin to come down. Horrifying shots of abscesses caused from shooting up. One man interviewed was on psyllicibin, heroin, weed and a couple of barbituates -- he mutters, mumbles, slurs his words and has trouble looking at the interviewer -- his bummers were dealing with "the man." Gruesome shots of mice on speed -- death by convulsion or violent fights.

Dr. David Smith:  Here at the Haight Ashbury Medical Clinic, we see many other reactions associated with compulsive use of amphetamines. During the prolonged high, the patient may inject the drug 1 to 10 times a day over a period of 3 to 4 days. Never eating, never sleeping. Always on the go. After this prolonged high, he crashes. After he sleeps from 24 to 48 hours, he awakes and eats ravenously. But after his food and sleep deprivation needs are met, rather than return to a normal level of psychological functioning, he enters into a prolonged phase of depression. This depression is so severe, that the patient often shoots up again, with amphetamine, and starts on another speed cycle.

Condition: Color is red, with some yellow, very pale olive green and very pale blue here and there. A couple of brief emulsion scratches during the first minute prior to the title; several thin dark lines throughout; a couple of splices that passed without notice. Comes on metal reel and in a metal can. No vinegar syndrome. Has all titles and credits.


[www.DrDave.org] [Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc]

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