Dragnet 1967 (1967) s01e01 Episode Script
The LSD Story
1
[Friday Narrating]
This is the city— Los Angeles, California.
It's a fine place to enjoy life.
There are places reserved just for kids
when they're young and feel young.
Places they go
when they're young and feel old,
beginning the big search
for something that often doesn't exist
in the places they look for it.
They might find it here.
Or here.
Or maybe here.
They could try looking here.
Their search might end
with a college degree.
One thing's sure.
Whatever they're looking for
cannot be found
inside a number five capsule.
When they try, that's where I come in.
I carry a badge.
It was Tuesday, March 15.
It was fair in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch
out of Juvenile Narcotics.
My partner's Bill Gannon.
The boss is Captain Richey.
My name's Friday.
A powerful new drug,
capable of producing weird
and dangerous hallucinations,
had found its way
onto the streets of the city.
It had fallen into the hands
of juvenile experimenters.
We had to try and stop it.
[Man Narrating]
The story you are about to see is true.
The names have been changed
to protect the innocent.
Better get over there in a hurry.
Right, Skipper.
Woman who phoned in the complaint
said he was painted up like an Indian.
Yeah?
Said she never saw a kid
do what he was doing.
What's that, Skipper?
Chewing the bark off a tree.
[Friday Narrating]
2:08 p.m. Bill and I
left Georgia Street Juvenile
and headed for 1200 Loma Linda A venue.
It was eight blocks from the office.
It took us four and a half minutes
to reach the vacant lot
where the strange-behaving juvenile
was reported to have been seen.
Stand still.
Reality, man. Reality.
I could see the center of the Earth.
Purple flame down there.
The pilot light. All the way down.
Purple flame down there
and the pilot light.
- Pilot light of all creation and reality.
- He's clean, Joe, except for these.
- Reality.
- What's your name, son?
You can see my name
if you look hard enough.
- Come on now. What's your name?
- Don't you know my name?
- My name is Blue Boy!
- What do you think, Joe? Cartwheels?
Those sugar cubes—I'll make you book
he's been dropping that acid
we've been hearing about.
All right, son.
You're under arrest.
It's our duty to advise you
of your constitutional rights.
You have the right to remain silent,
and any statement you make may be used
against you in a court of law.
You have the right
to the presence of an attorney.
If you cannot afford one, one will be
appointed before any questioning.
Do you understand that?
There I am. I'm over there now.
I'm not here anymore.
- My hair is green. I'm a tree.
- You ever seen anybody this torn up?
- It's a cinch he's not
strung out on sugar cubes.
- Yeah.
- All right. Let's take him
to Central Receiving.
- Come on, son.
Even if your body does die,
your mind will live on.
- Yeah, we know. Come on.
- You're the dirty disbelievers.
The evil disbelievers!
[Yelling]
Evil! Evil! Evil!
All right. Come on, son!
Settle down!
Brown. Blue. Yellow. Green.
Green. Orange. Red. Red-Red. Red.
I can hear them. I can hear them all.
Yeah, sure you can, kid.
Let's go back to the office.
We'll all listen.
[Friday Narrating]
2:20 p.m. We took the subject
to Central Receiving Hospital.
The examining doctor pronounced him
under the influence of an unknown drug.
3:00 p.m. We drove back
to Juvenile Division.
We took the subject upstairs
to the Narcotics Unit.
He appeared to be a little calmer,
but it was impossible to tell
if the effects of the drug
were substantially wearing off.
He would not tell us
what drug he had taken.
He still refused to give us his name.
We filled Captain Richey in
and once again we advised the subject
of his constitutional rights.
I know my rights, man! I don't want
a lawyer, and I don't need a lawyer!
- There's no law against what I did.
- There's a law against taking drugs.
[Chuckling]
Not my kind, man. Not my kind.
You're pretty high and far out, aren't you?
What kind of kick are you on, son?
- Ah, it's weird.
- What about these?
- Those are keys to the kingdom.
- Anything special about these cubes?
I'm on the train. I'm on the train.
I'm on the train. I'm on the train.
I'm on the train. We're crossing over.
We're crossing over. We're crossing over.
We're crossing over on the train.
On the train. On the train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
Whooooo!
Now you stay put
in that chair!
I am the chair.
I am the chair. I am the chair.
I am the chair. I am the chair.
I am the chair. I am the chair.
I am the chair. I am the chair.
[Continues, Indistinct]
Get those sugar cubes
down to the crime lab.
[Friday Narrating]
Bill and I took the sugar cubes
found on the subject
to the Scientific Investigation Division
located in the police building
in downtown Los Angeles.
We talked to forensic chemist
Ray Murray.
We filled him in on the subject's
appearance and his behavior pattern.
Tell us about the stuff, Ray.
Visual distortions.
Strangely disoriented.
It's a relatively new drug, developed
in Switzerland virtually by accident.
A Swiss biochemist by the name of Hoffman
came up with the drug in 1938.
Yeah.
Lysergic acid diethylamide
tartrate, L.S.D.-25.
- What's it look like, Ray?
- L.S.D.'s odorless, colorless, tasteless.
Comes in two forms—
liquid and powder.
I'll run these sugar cubes through,
but I can tell you right now
they contain L.S.D.
Narcotics Division has handled a couple
of cases like yours in the past few weeks.
Even had one where they put the stuff
on the backs of postage stamps.
- Is it habit-forming?
- It's new, Bill.
We can't be sure about physical addiction,
but one thing we're certain of.
- Yeah?
- In every case so far,
every one of the individuals has had
a psychological dependence on it.
You tell me, which is worse?
Are the effects recurrent,
would you know?
Definitely a transient recurrence,
from what we've seen so far.
User over in the county jail.
Been there six months.
Two days ago, the man showed
most of the symptoms
- of having just had
a fresh shot of the stuff.
- Hard to believe.
Unlike heroin,
which slows down metabolism,
or alcohol,
which is a depressant,
the users of L.S.D. have the mistaken idea
that it activates them,
quickens their mental lives.
Yeah, like painting yourself up
like an Indian,
trying to chew the bark off a tree,
burying your head in a hole.
Users believe they're
turning into monsters.
They want to destroy themselves,
yet have no urge to commit suicide.
They experience the vilest
of garish, frightening hallucinations.
They suffer extreme nausea,
severe vomiting, aches and pains.
- Anxiety, panic, depression.
- Sounds like it's gonna be a big problem.
If it isn't, it'll do
till one comes along.
Joe, Bill, the real issue here
is the degree of danger
this drug presents to the psychological
health of the user,
along with the resultant effect
to the user and those around him.
And as of now, there's no law
covering the sale and use of L.S.D.
From the number of cases
coming through this lab,
I'd say they better give you people
something to work with damn soon.
[Friday Narrating]
4:00 p.m. Bill and I left the crime lab and
headed back toward Georgia Street Juvenile.
Before we left him, Ray Murray
filled us in on more facts and figures.
A kilo of L.S.D.,
two and two-tenths pounds,
can be divided
into five million to 10 million doses.
Murray also gave us
one last frightening fact:
L.S.D. is so potent that
a single pound of the preparation
could turn every person in
Los Angeles County into a total psychotic.
The population of the county:
seven million people.
It was 4: 15 p.m. when we arrived
back at Juvenile Division.
What'd you find out?
Well, according to Murray,
the Carver boy's on L.S.D.
Figured sooner or later, didn't it?
How is it falling into the hands
of youngsters like that boy?
I don't know, Skipper.
Stuff's selling for eight
to 10 bucks a cap.
Come on in the office.
Boy's parents are here,
and they're not too happy.
Mr. and Mrs. Carver?
Sergeant Friday, Officer Gannon.
How are you?
These the two
that arrested my boy?
That's right, Mr. Carver.
Give me one good reason why.
Drug intoxication.
- That's impossible.
- We believe it to be a powerful
hallucinogen called L.S.D.
You people trying to say
my boy's a drug addict?
No, sir, we didn't say
he was addicted to the drug, but he
certainly was intoxicated from it.
Now look, I've heard about this L.S.D.,
and it's my understanding it hasn't
done anybody any harm.
If you could've seen your boy
a couple of hours ago,
I doubt you'd feel that way.
He always go around painted up like that—
half his face blue, half yellow?
I thought you men were supposed to be
experts with young people.
Why, it's probably a high school
initiation or something.
The boys are always doing
some silly thing or other.
Letting their hair grow long
or dressing up like those English singers.
Here, Benjie. Wipe your face
and let's go home.
[Gannon]
I've got two kids of my own.
I wouldn't want to find
either one of 'em in a police station.
But we're holding your boy
for his own safety
and maybe the safety of others.
What do you mean? There's no law
against what the boy did.
You act like he was taking heroin
or smoking marijuana.
You're not putting my boy in any jail.
He's not gonna have any police record.
If we can't settle this right now,
maybe my attorneys can.
That's your privilege, Mr. Carver,
but the boy's gonna be detained
at Juvenile Hall.
He'll have a hearing,
and the judge will decide.
All right. You insist
on doing it the hard way.
I happen to know
there's no law against L.S.D.
There's a law against being in a highly
intoxicated state under the influence
of any drug or narcotic,
and your boy was
and probably still is to some extent.
Nonsense.
You're fine, aren't you, Son?
- Just fine, Mom.
- There. You can see for yourselves.
- Come on, Benjie. We're taking you home.
- Book him for 601.
[Friday Narrating]
The subject, Benjamin Carver, was booked
under Section 601
of the Welfare and Institution Code,
in danger of leading an idle,
dissolute or immoral life.
He was being held
for his own protection.
Tuesday, May 10, 5:30 p.m.
The subject's case was heard
in the Los Angeles County
Juvenile Courts Building.
There was no law covering possession
of lysergic acid diethylamide.
However, the petition was sustained
for 601 W. I. C.
Benjie Carver was placed on probation
and released to his parents.
Satisfied, Sherlock?
[Friday Narrating]
Thursday, May 12, 3:58 p.m.
Bill and I had been out
on a routine follow-up.
When we returned to the squad room,
Sergeants Gene Zappey and Dominic Carr
were questioning two female juveniles.
A policewoman was standing by.
This should interest you.
Girls, this is Sergeant Friday
and Officer Bill Gannon.
That's Edna Mae,
and that's Sandy.
Tell Sergeant Friday and his partner
what you were telling us.
- You mean about our trip?
- First tell 'em how old you are.
I'm 15. What are you now?
Thirteen?
No, you know I'm 14.
I just had my birthday last week.
- Oh, yeah. I forgot. Edna Mae's 14.
- Go on, Sandy.
I saw all these weird colors,
and then I saw an eye.
You know what I mean?
A human eye.
It kept coming closer and closer.
Then all of a sudden,
everything started to melt.
You know?
Just melt and run down.
The sidewalk melted.
The street melted. Just everything!
- L.S.D.
- Both of 'em.
Dropped a cap apiece.
Paid three bucks for 'em.
- Where'd they get 'em?
- Young friend of yours.
Edna Mae, tell Sergeant Friday
where you got the caps.
We got 'em from Blue Boy.
That's what they call him.
Just Blue Boy.
Benjie Carver. And they
were capsules, you said?
Yeah. Little white ones.
I think I'm gonna be sick again.
Please help me.
Both of 'em were in awful shape
a couple hours ago—
nausea, vomiting.
It was all right going out on the trip,
but coming back's a little rough, isn't it?
Terrible. Just awful.
I'm so sick.
My head still aches,
and my stomach hurts so much.
Edna Mae, can you read this?
No. No, I can't. It's all swimmy.
Everything seems to be moving around.
How long ago did you take
the stuff, Edna Mae?
This morning.
I forget what time.
Me and Sandy,
we ditched school today.
We couldn't have gone anyway
after we took it.
Sergeant Carr.
Come on, Edna Mae.
[Door Closes]
Three bucks a cap.
When it drops to 50 cents, the kids
in grammar school will have themselves
a big time at recess, won't they?
Really getting popular.
You seen that bus up on the Strip
Friday, Saturday nights?
Big sign on it says,
"Can you pass the acid test?
Pay your dollar and find out."
For a buck, they drive you
up to the Hollywood Hills
to an acid party.
Before we're through,
they'll be listing it
in the Yellow Pages.
If we could just nail 'em
for possession.
How long does it take
to mix a batch of acid?
Couple of days?
Yeah, about that.
Takes a little longer
to stir up a law, doesn't it?
[Friday Narrating]
Wednesday, October 5.
Six months went by.
L.S.D. users were increasing
at an alarming rate,
particularly among juveniles.
By now, the users had established
their own language.
The drug itself was now called
"the ticket," "the ghost," "the beast,"
"the chief," "the hawk" or simply "25."
Users now referred to themselves
as "acidheads"
or "acid freaks."
A "trip" still referred
to having taken the drug,
but now more often the words a "bum trip"
and "freak-out" were being heard,
meaning a bad L.S.D. experience.
The pusher, or supplier,
became known as the "travel agent."
The acidheads came up
with another new wrinkle.
After consuming L.S.D.,
it requires from 45 minutes to an hour
for the drug to take effect.
Most users were now spending
this waiting period inhaling marijuana.
9:00 a.m. Bill and I reported
in for work as usual.
It was beginning to look
like any other Wednesday.
Federal and state.
You're in business.
In the California book,
you'll find it on page 38,
Division 10.5, Chapter 1,
Section 11901.
Lysergic acid diethylamide has now
been classified as a dangerous drug.
- When does the law go into effect?
- Forty-eight hours.
[Friday Narrating]
Monday, October 10, 2:35 p.m.
It had been six months
since Bill and I first picked up
the subject, Benjie Carver.
During all those months,
the name "Blue Boy" kept turning up
in arrest reports
as a major supplier of L.S.D.
We picked this one up
in the Third Street Tunnel.
Didn't want to leave.
Thought he was a mole.
Holding some acid. Six caps.
Name's Teddy Carstairs.
Who's your travel agent, Teddy?
I already told you.
Tell us again.
Why?
Now look. We advised you
of your rights, and you agreed
to talk to us, didn't you?
- Yeah.
- Well, talk to us.
- Tell us who you bought
your tickets from.
- The Blue Boy.
- Are you willing to testify to that?
- What's that mean?
- You willing to swear to it
in a court of law?
- Why not?
- Are you telling us yes?
- Well, wouldn't you if you was me?
- How is that?
- That stinkin' Blue Boy.
- And I paid good bread for that too.
- Yeah?
That freak, he sold me two bum trips.
[Friday Narrator]
With the willingness of Teddy Carstairs
to testify against Benjie Carver,
a complaint was issued
and a warrant was obtained
from the district attorney.
4:30 p.m. We drove up
to 1 7 Eagle Crest Drive,
Benjie Carver's home.
His mother told us
he had moved out three months ago.
She had no idea
where we might locate him.
What's he done this time?
Can you tell me?
Yes, ma'am. He's been selling
dangerous drugs to a minor.
- You mean another minor, don't you?
- No, ma'am. He's 18.
When we find him,
he'll be tried as an adult.
That's the law in this state.
I see. I don't suppose
I have to tell you two men
my husband and I
both owe you an apology.
That's all right, ma'am.
We understand.
I—I wonder if you'd
do me a favor when you find him.
- What's that, Mrs. Carver?
- Tell him we still love him.
[Friday Narrating]
Before we left, we asked Mrs. Carver
if we could check the house.
She was cooperative and agreed.
Bill and I searched the premises.
We found nothing.
Friday, December 9, 8:30 p.m.
We figured the Sunset Strip
might be a good place to dig up a lead.
Since the warrant on Benjie Carver
was registered and in the hands of all units,
we hoped it wouldn't be too long
before the suspect was picked up.
The parade of teenagers begins
at Laurel Canyon and Sunset
and ends at Doheny.
On Friday and Saturday nights,
for most of the young people in the city,
the Strip had become
the "in" place to go.
It had also become the scene
of teenage riots.
8:45 p.m. Bill and I showed
Benjie Carver's mug shots
to the sheriff's deputies
who patrol the Sunset Strip.
8:53 p.m. A couple of them
thought they recognized him,
but they weren't sure.
[Sandy]
Sergeant Friday!
Sandy. Edna Mae.
What's happening?
Nothing much.
Been behaving yourselves?
Haven't touched any more
of that acid. That's for sure.
We were invited to an acid party tonight.
We told him no. We're on our way home.
- You told who no?
- Blue Boy. He asked us.
- You have the address?
- Yeah, someplace.
It's supposed to be
up in the hills somewhere.
You gonna break up the party?
About time somebody tried,
don't you think?
[Friday Narrating]
10: 18 p.m. Bill and I drove up
to the address given us by the two girls.
It was in the Hollywood Hills.
It was an old house
that had seen better days.
[Doorbell Buzzes]
They must be way out
to leave the door unlocked.
[Sniff s]
That's weed.
♪[Background]
♪[Continues]
♪[Stops]
[Tape Rewinding]
♪[ Background]
Look at that, Joe.
Enough acid there
to turn 'em on for years.
Must be at least a hundred caps.
[Sniff s]
Marijuana.
[All Shouting]
[Painter]
Hey, man, who turned on the sun?
All right, hold it down! Quiet!
Police officers! You're under arrest!
Hold it! Stay right
where you are! Freeze!
All of you, keep your hands in plain sight.
You, on your feet. Come on.
All right! Now sober up
and try to listen to this.
It's our duty to advise you
of your constitutional rights.
You have the right to remain silent,
and any statement you make
may be used against you in a court of law.
You have the right
to the presence of an attorney.
If you cannot afford one, one will be
appointed before any questioning.
Now, do you understand that?
I do, man. I understand it.
I'm the one you want to talk to,
'cause I sure understand it.
Well, fine.
Suppose you climb down off of there
and come over here and talk to me.
- Talk to me about Blue Boy.
- He swooped the scene, man.
Is he coming back?
No, man.
Dig this "C" table?
We're in power.
Suppose you go over there
and sit down.
Bill, I'll call the office, get
a couple of black-and-whites
up here to take 'em in.
Right.
You're not gonna search me.
No, but a policewoman will.
What's that address?
Keep your nose out of my purse!
Keep yours out of the acid,
and next time I will.
Right. I got it. Thanks. Bill.
Call came in to the office an hour ago.
Drugstore over on Vermont.
They did a little business with a guy
who fits the description of the Carver boy.
- What kind of business?
- Three thousand empty number five caps.
[Friday Narrating]
Before we left the house,
we arranged for a stakeout
in the event
the Carver boy should return.
1 1:40 p.m. It took us 12 minutes
to get to the Apex Pharmacy
at Vermont and Wilcox.
The pharmacist's name was Ben Riddle.
We showed him a group of mug shots.
Oh, here's the fellow right here.
Yeah, that's him all right.
[Gannon]
Benjie Carver.
Here's the address
where we delivered the capsules.
Just a few blocks from here.
Thanks, Mr. Riddle.
You've been a big help.
What do you fellows figure he's
gonna put in all those empty capsules?
A lot of misery.
[Friday Narrating]
It was midnight when we arrived
at the Macon Apartments on West Beverly.
We got the manager out of bed.
That's right. Benjie Carver.
He's in the apartment over there. 107.
He in now, would you know?
I should say so.
I was going to call you people
until they quieted down
about an hour ago.
They?
That's right.
Sounds to me as though he's got
another boy in there with him,
and the two of them
were really whooping it up.
I see. Do you have
a passkey we could borrow?
Yes, I do. Here.
This one'll do.
Thank you very much.
You're welcome.
I'll cover the window, Joe.
Right.
Police officer.
What's your name?
Philip Jameson.
How old are ya?
Eighteen.
Poor Benjie.
Look at him.
What's the matter with him?
He's been like that
for over an hour.
He had some kind of a fit,
and then he got quiet.
Look at this, Joe.
Acid, reds, yellows, rainbows.
Those are Benjie's.
He's been taking 'em all day.
Just kept saying
he wanted to get further out.
Further out. Further out.
Just kept saying
he wanted to get further out.
Well, he made it. He's dead.
[Narrator]
The story you have just seen is true.
The names were changed
to protect the innocent.
On December 15, a coroner's inquest
was held at the County Morgue,
Hall of Justice, City and County of Los Angeles.
In a moment, the results of that inquest.
A t the inquest, the coroner's jury ruled
that the 18-year-old suspect
had administered himself an overdose
of lysergic acid diethylamide
in combination with various barbiturates,
and had thus taken his own life.
[Friday Narrating]
This is the city— Los Angeles, California.
It's a fine place to enjoy life.
There are places reserved just for kids
when they're young and feel young.
Places they go
when they're young and feel old,
beginning the big search
for something that often doesn't exist
in the places they look for it.
They might find it here.
Or here.
Or maybe here.
They could try looking here.
Their search might end
with a college degree.
One thing's sure.
Whatever they're looking for
cannot be found
inside a number five capsule.
When they try, that's where I come in.
I carry a badge.
It was Tuesday, March 15.
It was fair in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch
out of Juvenile Narcotics.
My partner's Bill Gannon.
The boss is Captain Richey.
My name's Friday.
A powerful new drug,
capable of producing weird
and dangerous hallucinations,
had found its way
onto the streets of the city.
It had fallen into the hands
of juvenile experimenters.
We had to try and stop it.
[Man Narrating]
The story you are about to see is true.
The names have been changed
to protect the innocent.
Better get over there in a hurry.
Right, Skipper.
Woman who phoned in the complaint
said he was painted up like an Indian.
Yeah?
Said she never saw a kid
do what he was doing.
What's that, Skipper?
Chewing the bark off a tree.
[Friday Narrating]
2:08 p.m. Bill and I
left Georgia Street Juvenile
and headed for 1200 Loma Linda A venue.
It was eight blocks from the office.
It took us four and a half minutes
to reach the vacant lot
where the strange-behaving juvenile
was reported to have been seen.
Stand still.
Reality, man. Reality.
I could see the center of the Earth.
Purple flame down there.
The pilot light. All the way down.
Purple flame down there
and the pilot light.
- Pilot light of all creation and reality.
- He's clean, Joe, except for these.
- Reality.
- What's your name, son?
You can see my name
if you look hard enough.
- Come on now. What's your name?
- Don't you know my name?
- My name is Blue Boy!
- What do you think, Joe? Cartwheels?
Those sugar cubes—I'll make you book
he's been dropping that acid
we've been hearing about.
All right, son.
You're under arrest.
It's our duty to advise you
of your constitutional rights.
You have the right to remain silent,
and any statement you make may be used
against you in a court of law.
You have the right
to the presence of an attorney.
If you cannot afford one, one will be
appointed before any questioning.
Do you understand that?
There I am. I'm over there now.
I'm not here anymore.
- My hair is green. I'm a tree.
- You ever seen anybody this torn up?
- It's a cinch he's not
strung out on sugar cubes.
- Yeah.
- All right. Let's take him
to Central Receiving.
- Come on, son.
Even if your body does die,
your mind will live on.
- Yeah, we know. Come on.
- You're the dirty disbelievers.
The evil disbelievers!
[Yelling]
Evil! Evil! Evil!
All right. Come on, son!
Settle down!
Brown. Blue. Yellow. Green.
Green. Orange. Red. Red-Red. Red.
I can hear them. I can hear them all.
Yeah, sure you can, kid.
Let's go back to the office.
We'll all listen.
[Friday Narrating]
2:20 p.m. We took the subject
to Central Receiving Hospital.
The examining doctor pronounced him
under the influence of an unknown drug.
3:00 p.m. We drove back
to Juvenile Division.
We took the subject upstairs
to the Narcotics Unit.
He appeared to be a little calmer,
but it was impossible to tell
if the effects of the drug
were substantially wearing off.
He would not tell us
what drug he had taken.
He still refused to give us his name.
We filled Captain Richey in
and once again we advised the subject
of his constitutional rights.
I know my rights, man! I don't want
a lawyer, and I don't need a lawyer!
- There's no law against what I did.
- There's a law against taking drugs.
[Chuckling]
Not my kind, man. Not my kind.
You're pretty high and far out, aren't you?
What kind of kick are you on, son?
- Ah, it's weird.
- What about these?
- Those are keys to the kingdom.
- Anything special about these cubes?
I'm on the train. I'm on the train.
I'm on the train. I'm on the train.
I'm on the train. We're crossing over.
We're crossing over. We're crossing over.
We're crossing over on the train.
On the train. On the train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
The train. The train.
Whooooo!
Now you stay put
in that chair!
I am the chair.
I am the chair. I am the chair.
I am the chair. I am the chair.
I am the chair. I am the chair.
I am the chair. I am the chair.
[Continues, Indistinct]
Get those sugar cubes
down to the crime lab.
[Friday Narrating]
Bill and I took the sugar cubes
found on the subject
to the Scientific Investigation Division
located in the police building
in downtown Los Angeles.
We talked to forensic chemist
Ray Murray.
We filled him in on the subject's
appearance and his behavior pattern.
Tell us about the stuff, Ray.
Visual distortions.
Strangely disoriented.
It's a relatively new drug, developed
in Switzerland virtually by accident.
A Swiss biochemist by the name of Hoffman
came up with the drug in 1938.
Yeah.
Lysergic acid diethylamide
tartrate, L.S.D.-25.
- What's it look like, Ray?
- L.S.D.'s odorless, colorless, tasteless.
Comes in two forms—
liquid and powder.
I'll run these sugar cubes through,
but I can tell you right now
they contain L.S.D.
Narcotics Division has handled a couple
of cases like yours in the past few weeks.
Even had one where they put the stuff
on the backs of postage stamps.
- Is it habit-forming?
- It's new, Bill.
We can't be sure about physical addiction,
but one thing we're certain of.
- Yeah?
- In every case so far,
every one of the individuals has had
a psychological dependence on it.
You tell me, which is worse?
Are the effects recurrent,
would you know?
Definitely a transient recurrence,
from what we've seen so far.
User over in the county jail.
Been there six months.
Two days ago, the man showed
most of the symptoms
- of having just had
a fresh shot of the stuff.
- Hard to believe.
Unlike heroin,
which slows down metabolism,
or alcohol,
which is a depressant,
the users of L.S.D. have the mistaken idea
that it activates them,
quickens their mental lives.
Yeah, like painting yourself up
like an Indian,
trying to chew the bark off a tree,
burying your head in a hole.
Users believe they're
turning into monsters.
They want to destroy themselves,
yet have no urge to commit suicide.
They experience the vilest
of garish, frightening hallucinations.
They suffer extreme nausea,
severe vomiting, aches and pains.
- Anxiety, panic, depression.
- Sounds like it's gonna be a big problem.
If it isn't, it'll do
till one comes along.
Joe, Bill, the real issue here
is the degree of danger
this drug presents to the psychological
health of the user,
along with the resultant effect
to the user and those around him.
And as of now, there's no law
covering the sale and use of L.S.D.
From the number of cases
coming through this lab,
I'd say they better give you people
something to work with damn soon.
[Friday Narrating]
4:00 p.m. Bill and I left the crime lab and
headed back toward Georgia Street Juvenile.
Before we left him, Ray Murray
filled us in on more facts and figures.
A kilo of L.S.D.,
two and two-tenths pounds,
can be divided
into five million to 10 million doses.
Murray also gave us
one last frightening fact:
L.S.D. is so potent that
a single pound of the preparation
could turn every person in
Los Angeles County into a total psychotic.
The population of the county:
seven million people.
It was 4: 15 p.m. when we arrived
back at Juvenile Division.
What'd you find out?
Well, according to Murray,
the Carver boy's on L.S.D.
Figured sooner or later, didn't it?
How is it falling into the hands
of youngsters like that boy?
I don't know, Skipper.
Stuff's selling for eight
to 10 bucks a cap.
Come on in the office.
Boy's parents are here,
and they're not too happy.
Mr. and Mrs. Carver?
Sergeant Friday, Officer Gannon.
How are you?
These the two
that arrested my boy?
That's right, Mr. Carver.
Give me one good reason why.
Drug intoxication.
- That's impossible.
- We believe it to be a powerful
hallucinogen called L.S.D.
You people trying to say
my boy's a drug addict?
No, sir, we didn't say
he was addicted to the drug, but he
certainly was intoxicated from it.
Now look, I've heard about this L.S.D.,
and it's my understanding it hasn't
done anybody any harm.
If you could've seen your boy
a couple of hours ago,
I doubt you'd feel that way.
He always go around painted up like that—
half his face blue, half yellow?
I thought you men were supposed to be
experts with young people.
Why, it's probably a high school
initiation or something.
The boys are always doing
some silly thing or other.
Letting their hair grow long
or dressing up like those English singers.
Here, Benjie. Wipe your face
and let's go home.
[Gannon]
I've got two kids of my own.
I wouldn't want to find
either one of 'em in a police station.
But we're holding your boy
for his own safety
and maybe the safety of others.
What do you mean? There's no law
against what the boy did.
You act like he was taking heroin
or smoking marijuana.
You're not putting my boy in any jail.
He's not gonna have any police record.
If we can't settle this right now,
maybe my attorneys can.
That's your privilege, Mr. Carver,
but the boy's gonna be detained
at Juvenile Hall.
He'll have a hearing,
and the judge will decide.
All right. You insist
on doing it the hard way.
I happen to know
there's no law against L.S.D.
There's a law against being in a highly
intoxicated state under the influence
of any drug or narcotic,
and your boy was
and probably still is to some extent.
Nonsense.
You're fine, aren't you, Son?
- Just fine, Mom.
- There. You can see for yourselves.
- Come on, Benjie. We're taking you home.
- Book him for 601.
[Friday Narrating]
The subject, Benjamin Carver, was booked
under Section 601
of the Welfare and Institution Code,
in danger of leading an idle,
dissolute or immoral life.
He was being held
for his own protection.
Tuesday, May 10, 5:30 p.m.
The subject's case was heard
in the Los Angeles County
Juvenile Courts Building.
There was no law covering possession
of lysergic acid diethylamide.
However, the petition was sustained
for 601 W. I. C.
Benjie Carver was placed on probation
and released to his parents.
Satisfied, Sherlock?
[Friday Narrating]
Thursday, May 12, 3:58 p.m.
Bill and I had been out
on a routine follow-up.
When we returned to the squad room,
Sergeants Gene Zappey and Dominic Carr
were questioning two female juveniles.
A policewoman was standing by.
This should interest you.
Girls, this is Sergeant Friday
and Officer Bill Gannon.
That's Edna Mae,
and that's Sandy.
Tell Sergeant Friday and his partner
what you were telling us.
- You mean about our trip?
- First tell 'em how old you are.
I'm 15. What are you now?
Thirteen?
No, you know I'm 14.
I just had my birthday last week.
- Oh, yeah. I forgot. Edna Mae's 14.
- Go on, Sandy.
I saw all these weird colors,
and then I saw an eye.
You know what I mean?
A human eye.
It kept coming closer and closer.
Then all of a sudden,
everything started to melt.
You know?
Just melt and run down.
The sidewalk melted.
The street melted. Just everything!
- L.S.D.
- Both of 'em.
Dropped a cap apiece.
Paid three bucks for 'em.
- Where'd they get 'em?
- Young friend of yours.
Edna Mae, tell Sergeant Friday
where you got the caps.
We got 'em from Blue Boy.
That's what they call him.
Just Blue Boy.
Benjie Carver. And they
were capsules, you said?
Yeah. Little white ones.
I think I'm gonna be sick again.
Please help me.
Both of 'em were in awful shape
a couple hours ago—
nausea, vomiting.
It was all right going out on the trip,
but coming back's a little rough, isn't it?
Terrible. Just awful.
I'm so sick.
My head still aches,
and my stomach hurts so much.
Edna Mae, can you read this?
No. No, I can't. It's all swimmy.
Everything seems to be moving around.
How long ago did you take
the stuff, Edna Mae?
This morning.
I forget what time.
Me and Sandy,
we ditched school today.
We couldn't have gone anyway
after we took it.
Sergeant Carr.
Come on, Edna Mae.
[Door Closes]
Three bucks a cap.
When it drops to 50 cents, the kids
in grammar school will have themselves
a big time at recess, won't they?
Really getting popular.
You seen that bus up on the Strip
Friday, Saturday nights?
Big sign on it says,
"Can you pass the acid test?
Pay your dollar and find out."
For a buck, they drive you
up to the Hollywood Hills
to an acid party.
Before we're through,
they'll be listing it
in the Yellow Pages.
If we could just nail 'em
for possession.
How long does it take
to mix a batch of acid?
Couple of days?
Yeah, about that.
Takes a little longer
to stir up a law, doesn't it?
[Friday Narrating]
Wednesday, October 5.
Six months went by.
L.S.D. users were increasing
at an alarming rate,
particularly among juveniles.
By now, the users had established
their own language.
The drug itself was now called
"the ticket," "the ghost," "the beast,"
"the chief," "the hawk" or simply "25."
Users now referred to themselves
as "acidheads"
or "acid freaks."
A "trip" still referred
to having taken the drug,
but now more often the words a "bum trip"
and "freak-out" were being heard,
meaning a bad L.S.D. experience.
The pusher, or supplier,
became known as the "travel agent."
The acidheads came up
with another new wrinkle.
After consuming L.S.D.,
it requires from 45 minutes to an hour
for the drug to take effect.
Most users were now spending
this waiting period inhaling marijuana.
9:00 a.m. Bill and I reported
in for work as usual.
It was beginning to look
like any other Wednesday.
Federal and state.
You're in business.
In the California book,
you'll find it on page 38,
Division 10.5, Chapter 1,
Section 11901.
Lysergic acid diethylamide has now
been classified as a dangerous drug.
- When does the law go into effect?
- Forty-eight hours.
[Friday Narrating]
Monday, October 10, 2:35 p.m.
It had been six months
since Bill and I first picked up
the subject, Benjie Carver.
During all those months,
the name "Blue Boy" kept turning up
in arrest reports
as a major supplier of L.S.D.
We picked this one up
in the Third Street Tunnel.
Didn't want to leave.
Thought he was a mole.
Holding some acid. Six caps.
Name's Teddy Carstairs.
Who's your travel agent, Teddy?
I already told you.
Tell us again.
Why?
Now look. We advised you
of your rights, and you agreed
to talk to us, didn't you?
- Yeah.
- Well, talk to us.
- Tell us who you bought
your tickets from.
- The Blue Boy.
- Are you willing to testify to that?
- What's that mean?
- You willing to swear to it
in a court of law?
- Why not?
- Are you telling us yes?
- Well, wouldn't you if you was me?
- How is that?
- That stinkin' Blue Boy.
- And I paid good bread for that too.
- Yeah?
That freak, he sold me two bum trips.
[Friday Narrator]
With the willingness of Teddy Carstairs
to testify against Benjie Carver,
a complaint was issued
and a warrant was obtained
from the district attorney.
4:30 p.m. We drove up
to 1 7 Eagle Crest Drive,
Benjie Carver's home.
His mother told us
he had moved out three months ago.
She had no idea
where we might locate him.
What's he done this time?
Can you tell me?
Yes, ma'am. He's been selling
dangerous drugs to a minor.
- You mean another minor, don't you?
- No, ma'am. He's 18.
When we find him,
he'll be tried as an adult.
That's the law in this state.
I see. I don't suppose
I have to tell you two men
my husband and I
both owe you an apology.
That's all right, ma'am.
We understand.
I—I wonder if you'd
do me a favor when you find him.
- What's that, Mrs. Carver?
- Tell him we still love him.
[Friday Narrating]
Before we left, we asked Mrs. Carver
if we could check the house.
She was cooperative and agreed.
Bill and I searched the premises.
We found nothing.
Friday, December 9, 8:30 p.m.
We figured the Sunset Strip
might be a good place to dig up a lead.
Since the warrant on Benjie Carver
was registered and in the hands of all units,
we hoped it wouldn't be too long
before the suspect was picked up.
The parade of teenagers begins
at Laurel Canyon and Sunset
and ends at Doheny.
On Friday and Saturday nights,
for most of the young people in the city,
the Strip had become
the "in" place to go.
It had also become the scene
of teenage riots.
8:45 p.m. Bill and I showed
Benjie Carver's mug shots
to the sheriff's deputies
who patrol the Sunset Strip.
8:53 p.m. A couple of them
thought they recognized him,
but they weren't sure.
[Sandy]
Sergeant Friday!
Sandy. Edna Mae.
What's happening?
Nothing much.
Been behaving yourselves?
Haven't touched any more
of that acid. That's for sure.
We were invited to an acid party tonight.
We told him no. We're on our way home.
- You told who no?
- Blue Boy. He asked us.
- You have the address?
- Yeah, someplace.
It's supposed to be
up in the hills somewhere.
You gonna break up the party?
About time somebody tried,
don't you think?
[Friday Narrating]
10: 18 p.m. Bill and I drove up
to the address given us by the two girls.
It was in the Hollywood Hills.
It was an old house
that had seen better days.
[Doorbell Buzzes]
They must be way out
to leave the door unlocked.
[Sniff s]
That's weed.
♪[Background]
♪[Continues]
♪[Stops]
[Tape Rewinding]
♪[ Background]
Look at that, Joe.
Enough acid there
to turn 'em on for years.
Must be at least a hundred caps.
[Sniff s]
Marijuana.
[All Shouting]
[Painter]
Hey, man, who turned on the sun?
All right, hold it down! Quiet!
Police officers! You're under arrest!
Hold it! Stay right
where you are! Freeze!
All of you, keep your hands in plain sight.
You, on your feet. Come on.
All right! Now sober up
and try to listen to this.
It's our duty to advise you
of your constitutional rights.
You have the right to remain silent,
and any statement you make
may be used against you in a court of law.
You have the right
to the presence of an attorney.
If you cannot afford one, one will be
appointed before any questioning.
Now, do you understand that?
I do, man. I understand it.
I'm the one you want to talk to,
'cause I sure understand it.
Well, fine.
Suppose you climb down off of there
and come over here and talk to me.
- Talk to me about Blue Boy.
- He swooped the scene, man.
Is he coming back?
No, man.
Dig this "C" table?
We're in power.
Suppose you go over there
and sit down.
Bill, I'll call the office, get
a couple of black-and-whites
up here to take 'em in.
Right.
You're not gonna search me.
No, but a policewoman will.
What's that address?
Keep your nose out of my purse!
Keep yours out of the acid,
and next time I will.
Right. I got it. Thanks. Bill.
Call came in to the office an hour ago.
Drugstore over on Vermont.
They did a little business with a guy
who fits the description of the Carver boy.
- What kind of business?
- Three thousand empty number five caps.
[Friday Narrating]
Before we left the house,
we arranged for a stakeout
in the event
the Carver boy should return.
1 1:40 p.m. It took us 12 minutes
to get to the Apex Pharmacy
at Vermont and Wilcox.
The pharmacist's name was Ben Riddle.
We showed him a group of mug shots.
Oh, here's the fellow right here.
Yeah, that's him all right.
[Gannon]
Benjie Carver.
Here's the address
where we delivered the capsules.
Just a few blocks from here.
Thanks, Mr. Riddle.
You've been a big help.
What do you fellows figure he's
gonna put in all those empty capsules?
A lot of misery.
[Friday Narrating]
It was midnight when we arrived
at the Macon Apartments on West Beverly.
We got the manager out of bed.
That's right. Benjie Carver.
He's in the apartment over there. 107.
He in now, would you know?
I should say so.
I was going to call you people
until they quieted down
about an hour ago.
They?
That's right.
Sounds to me as though he's got
another boy in there with him,
and the two of them
were really whooping it up.
I see. Do you have
a passkey we could borrow?
Yes, I do. Here.
This one'll do.
Thank you very much.
You're welcome.
I'll cover the window, Joe.
Right.
Police officer.
What's your name?
Philip Jameson.
How old are ya?
Eighteen.
Poor Benjie.
Look at him.
What's the matter with him?
He's been like that
for over an hour.
He had some kind of a fit,
and then he got quiet.
Look at this, Joe.
Acid, reds, yellows, rainbows.
Those are Benjie's.
He's been taking 'em all day.
Just kept saying
he wanted to get further out.
Further out. Further out.
Just kept saying
he wanted to get further out.
Well, he made it. He's dead.
[Narrator]
The story you have just seen is true.
The names were changed
to protect the innocent.
On December 15, a coroner's inquest
was held at the County Morgue,
Hall of Justice, City and County of Los Angeles.
In a moment, the results of that inquest.
A t the inquest, the coroner's jury ruled
that the 18-year-old suspect
had administered himself an overdose
of lysergic acid diethylamide
in combination with various barbiturates,
and had thus taken his own life.