GI Junkie

KRON-TV Assignment 4 documentary film from 1971, narrated by Frank Gorin, which examines the issue of drug abuse, rehabilitation and readjustment among armed forces veterans, of which it is estimated there are 40,000 hard core addicts returning from the Vietnam War. Includes scenes featuring: interviews with Jack McCloskey (Veterans for Peace), Margaret Griffin (nurse), John Renick (MD), Steve Petty (VA Hospital, Menlo Park), Dr Karl Evans (VA Hospital, San Francisco), George Gay (Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic) and Dr Irving Klompus; veterans at the VA Hospital in Menlo Park and Palo Alto undergoing de-toxification and self-help programs (with group psychotherapy); an explanation of how drug use in the Haight Ashbury has evolved from psychedelics, to amphetamines and barbiturates to the current heroin "epidemic"; drug rehabiliation workshops at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic; Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic outreach counselors working on the street and views of the Naval Schools Command marching. This film was written, produced and edited by Ira Eisenberg and edited by Will Nordby.