Details

Colleen McCreanor | United States | 2017 | 30:00

Unfortunately, we are exposed to a variety of situations where teenagers have made poor decisions. Often the consequences are minimal, and they have the opportunity to learn and grow into adulthood. However, drugs and alcohol can change that. The consequences can be extreme, and there is not always a second chance. The Milton and Alpharetta, Georgia communities boast “the best quality of life in Georgia,” yet the communities are also bound by a culture of drug and alcohol addiction that results in the periodic unescaped teen tragedy. After losing two classmates in three years to the consequences of partying and drug use, three high school filmmakers set out to start a conversation that goes beyond awareness. The result was the documentary “420.” The moniker “420” has been a part of drug culture since the early 1970s. Popularized by a group of high school marijuana users who would meet on their high school’s campus grounds at 4:20 to get high, “420” became a widespread time and code word in the drug culture. Although the original meaning of “420” has advanced over the decades and throughout all media around the globe, it is still recurrent in drug parlance today- especially with the high school student population. Colleen McCreanor selected the title because of its historic and poetic resonance with high school students. Additionally, it was a title that prior generations could call to mind. The film’s title and release date of 4/20 on YouTube is a derivative of this phenomenon. Since the YouTube release, “420” has over 8000 views, including Atlanta TV news coverage, (see “News Coverage- WSBTV- Atlanta” in profile). Additionally, on June 14, the three filmmakers were invited to screen the trailer and speak at the Northern District of Georgia Heroin Working Group by United States Attorney John Horn, who called the documentary “incredibly powerful.” Colleen McCreanor’s “420” is a tragic story on the growing problem of teen alcohol and narcotic substance abuse within our communities and is supported by conversations with current teen drug users, a suffering mother, and several public safety officers. This documentary hopes to be part of the solutions that helps get this valuable message out to young people and parents in all communities.

Writer
Colleen McCreanor

Producer
Colleen MCreanor
Amy Pollmann
Brynn Wilson