“Up Front” is a color, PSA-style film from the 1970s that centers the voices and opinions of teenagers and young adults regarding drugs, the pressures that drive young people to them, and whether they are truly such a menace. Nonetheless, the film’s true overarching goal is to offer nuanced perspectives around drugs and drug addiction, humanize users, and promote the creation and support of self-help centers. Produced by the Motion Picture Chief Administrative Office of Los Angeles County, the film predominantly consists of footage from conversation groups of teenagers and young adults on a TV-set moderated by recovered addict Roy Evans and behavioral scientist Steve Rush as well as some first hand footage from some of the self-help houses around the Los Angeles and Hollywood area.

Teenagers offer thoughts on drug use at their high schools – white teenage girl, blonde hair and green eyes; black teenage boy ironically wearing captain’s hat; white teenage boy with messy blonde hair (0:28). Roy Evans, counselor Department of Community Services County of Los Angeles (1:21). Steve Rush, Behavioral Science Consultant Department of Health County of Los Angeles (1:29). Roland Summit, M.D. Community Psychiatrist Harbor General Hospital County of Los Angeles (1:38). Young hispanic woman offers her thoughts (1:49). Opening credits overlaid different groups of adults and teens sitting with moderators (1:59). Black-and-white LAPD mugshot of Roy Evans (2:22). Camera pans Synanon billboard (2:31). Sign for Narcotics Anonymous meeting (2:40). Exterior of Teen Challenge Center (2:46). Sign Department of Community Services County of Los Angeles (2:53). Roy Evans’ crime and delinquency prevention employee identification document (2:56). Roy Evans in office looking over case files (3:03). Roy delivers presentation to high school students as part of California Department of Education Drug training Team (3:18). Roy sits among various groups of young people and hears their thoughts (3:37). Camera cuts between scenes of Roy and Steve sitting with different groups: some of the teens in typical 70s apparel of bell bottoms and wool poncho (4:02-9:45). Roy stands in what appears to be conference room of a courthouse or official state building – camera pans faces of parents in attendance (9:45). High school track sporting event: Boys in track uniform run to finish line on race track (11:06). Roy stands with crowd of students in bleachers (11:12). Pole vault competition (11:19). Camera cuts between scenes of Roy and Steve sitting with different groups (11:50-18:08). Exterior of American-craftsman style home used as a self-help house for drug users (18:13). “Crisis House” in Hollywood, back garden of rehabilitation center, two young men play ping pong (18:16). Mirror of vanity reflects another young man sitting and reading on his bed (18:24). Young woman in green terry-cloth jumper prepares food in the communal kitchen (18:30). Recovering addicts sit to family-style meal (18:42). Lucha, self-help house in East L.A. for Chicano community: young chicano man sits on singular chair at end of solemn hallway (19:03). Conversation between young man and director of Lucha in director’s modest office (19:23). Conference hall with Mexican-style paintings filled with Chicano teens and young adults; man in white addresses group (20:03). Young female hotline worker answers the phone in crowded office (20:47). Close-up papers on wall: list of emergency numbers for drug emergencies (21:08). Young receptionist at free help clinic sorts through papers (21:14). Doctor does check-up on addict who has come to clinic for free services in make-shift exam room (21:23). Entrance for Teen Challenge Center (21:54). Interior of center: Man passionately plays piano in front of tudor-style stained glass; teens sit on floor and sing religious songs (22:09). Music continues as camera pans craft room where teens and women at work making clay sculptures and pipe cloth flowers (22:38). Exterior of Bridge Back Center – self-help house for L.A.’s black community (23:21). Two young black males enter room of other young black people, Roy sits among them on sofa (23:25). Camera cuts between scenes of Roy and Steve sitting with different groups (11:50-18:08).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com