A troubled boy (Larry B. Scott) becomes addicted to heroin, and his mother (Cicely Tyson) and foster father (Paul Winfield) help him fight it.

Benjie is a troubled teen in Los Angeles, living with his grandmother, his mother, and his mother's boyfriend. Traumatized by his father's desertion and the situation at home, Benjie drifts into getting introduced to heroin and his downward spiral begins. At school he faces conflict between the two teachers he respects: Nigeria, who emphasizes African history and is hostile to white teachers like Mr. Cohen, who pursues racial harmony. Benjie's family must come to terms with the devastation he has created in his life and make changes which affect them all.—jeaneva