What do You Stand For?
We all know that young people are dying of drug overdoses in record numbers. Unless we do something, it’s going to get a lot worse.
I’m producing a television show that will help them understand what we know about the dangers of drugs (it’s based on the book Eric’s Song).
We have a commitment from an NBC affiliate to broadcast the show in February. If we can get it on the air in February, we can take it to the National Association of Broadcasters show in April to get it on the air on stations across the country. When we do this we have the potential to reach millions of kids across the country and help them understand why drugs are dangerous. The impact of this will save thousands of young people from death or addiction.
To meet these deadlines we need to start production in November. In order to begin production I need to raise another $60,000. We are almost there with cash and in-kind contributions.
If you contribute $5,000 I will give you screen credit as an Executive Producer and any contribution over $500 will earn you a screen credit. Any amount will earn my eternal gratitude and the gratitude of millions of parents across the country for helping to save their children.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely,
Tom Monson
tom@SavingOurChildrenCampaign.com
PS: Eric’s Song is available on Amazon and all proceeds will go to producing the television special.
Additional Information:
About Tom Monson
Tom Monson is a celebrated director, filmmaker, and author, dedicated to enriching lives. His extensive portfolio includes renowned works such as “Drug Wars,” “Saving Alpha,” and “Five Minutes a Day to Drug-Free Kids.” With a passion for helping others achieve their goals, Tom founded Tom Monson Productions and has produced to EMMY-nominated and award-winning projects for over 30 years. He’s the visionary behind the 13 documentaries in The Drug-Free Kids Video Library, leaving a lasting impact on both entertainment and personal development.
Eric’s Song Treatment
Based on a true story, Eric’s Song is the story of a 13-year-old boy named Eric.
Eric is a young teenager and a lovable character who youngsters will identify with. His mom, Jessica, like most moms, wants the best for her son and most parents will identify with her.
It starts with Eric and his mother, Jessica, discussing him coming straight home from school to do his homework. He looks out the window and sees his friends coming up the street.
Eric comes running out the door and catches up with his friends, Noah, a Native American, and Andrew, an African American who are walking by. They talk, kid around, and then the subject turns to girls. Andrew actually asked a girl to go to the basketball game with him and was told that she might see him there. Eric wants to ask another girl Nicole but is too shy.
As they walk down the street they see an awesome car parked in front of the school. Interested in this car, they stop to admire it. They talk about how cool it would be to have a car like this. This delay caused him to be late to class.
When they finally make it to class Mrs. Smith, their eighth-grade teacher thanks them for showing up, albeit five minutes late. And for that infraction, they get to go first in presenting the stories of their lives. They describe what they think their life will be like. Eric wants to get a good job and have a family. Andrew wants to be involved with sports. Noah wants to be a lawyer and help his people. Mrs. Smith reads a motivational speech from Vince Lombardi, the famous football coach.
That night at a basketball game they are watching the game when Katelyn, a very attractive girl sits next to them. Eric is spellbound. After a short time, she asks them if they want a beer. Noah refuses, Andrew isn’t sure, but Eric tells her yes. She says she has some in her car. They leave the game.
A little later they are sitting in her car and she offers them a beer. Noah tells her that he is a Native American and his grandfather told him why he should not drink any alcohol and why. Andrew refuses because he doesn’t want to get in trouble with his dad. Without any conviction, Eric accepts the beer and drinks. When he finishes, she tells them that there is a great party and invites them to come along. They all agree.
When they arrive at the party, they meet Ricky, one of Katelyn’’s friends. He is very nice and offers them more beer. Andrew and Noah still refuse but Eric is feeling pretty good from the first one, takes it. A few minutes later, he comes back and hands Katelyn a pipe and tells her to offer their friends a “party favor.” None of them know what it is but Noah and Andrew refuse, but Eric, having two beers doesn’t think it will hurt anything to try it. The two boys try to talk him out of it but he insists that he trusts Katelyn. He says all these people at the party are doing it and they seem ok. So, he smokes it. All of a sudden he is flying high. He’s never felt this good before. He insists that the other boys try it. “You will love it,” he says. Andrew thinks about it but Noah grabs him and tells Eric they have to go do something. When they finally leave the party, Eric’s actions are irrational and erratic.
On the way home, Noah tells Andrew what his grandfather told him about drinking and drugs and how they can destroy young minds — do damage that takes a long time to heal if it can.
The next morning Eric is asleep in his bed and Jessica walks in. She is mad. “Wake up. Time for school!” she says. “Where’d you go last night?” He tells her he was at the basketball game with Andrew and Noah. He says he must have the flu. She tells him to stay home. After she leaves, he calls Katelyn and tells her he is sick. She comes over and gives him some more meth and tells him that this will make him feel better. She gives him enough for a couple of times. He smokes it and feels better.
The next morning Noah and Andrew are walking down the street to school and stop in front of Eric’s home for a few minutes but he doesn’t show so they move on. Eric is in his bedroom scraping a tiny bit of residue out of a small baggie. A few minutes later Eric emerges and he is sullen. He moves slowly down the street. The spring is gone from his step and he isn’t smiling like usual.
Back in class, Mrs. Smith is telling the class about world geography when Eric comes in. She knows something is wrong and asks him to see her after class. Noah and Andrew see he is not well and exchange looks expressing their concern. After class, Eric tells Mrs. Smith that he isn’t feeling good and needs to go home.
That night Eric is in his bedroom talking on the phone to Ricky. He wants to get some more drugs. Ricky tells him that it is expensive to get but he can get him enough for a few days but it will cost $50. Eric frowns.
Later, Eric goes into the kitchen and sees Jessica’s purse and takes $50.
He meets Ricky and buys the drugs.
Back in the classroom, Mrs. Smith is grading papers and comes to Eric’s. Sadly she marks it with an “F” and looks over to see his empty seat. She knows what’s going on. She’s seen it too many times.
Eric is in a department store shoplifting.
Eric meets Ricky to buy more drugs and Ricky offers him a job delivering drugs to other customers.
The next morning Andrew and Noah walk by Eric’s house without stopping. They are talking about school and the girl that Andrew is taking to the eighth-grade dance.
Eric is in his bedroom and Jessica walks in. She tells him that he’s going to be late. He tells her he is sick again. She leaves and he steals her jewelry.
He goes to meet with Ricky and Katelyn is there. Eric is so high that he doesn’t recognize her but she remembers him as the boy with the beautiful smile. Ricky pays Eric for the drugs and Eric buys more drugs.
Eric’s mom walks into his bedroom. sees a pile of clothes on the floor, and picks them up only to stick herself with a needle. Now she knows.
That night in the kitchen, Eric’s mom is sitting at the kitchen table when Eric comes in. She confronts him about the needle. There is a confrontation, and he lies, but she knows.
At the treatment center, Eric struggles as his body tries to return to normal. The treatment counselor, Jim Day is talking to Eric and Jessica about drugs, how they change people, and how the people who sell drugs are only interested in money. He tells them about the treatment process and that he can recover but it will take time and patience.
Time passes.
A car has been pulled over by the police. The patrol sergeant comes to the scene. The officer tells him the car was stolen and both occupants are high. One of them is Eric and he is arrested.
In jail, Eric is confronted by other prisoners.
In court, the judge orders Eric to go into treatment.
Back in treatment, Day talks to Eric. Eric tells him that he wishes he could go back to that time when he took the first beer and the meth. Day tells him that he can’t go back but he can make a decision to find a better life so that five years from now he can tell someone else about the good decision you made here and now. Eric accepts the challenge and decides to get clean.
Eric started doing the steps to recovery and it is going well.
Out of treatment, he finds a job at a department store and meets Ashley. Ashley introduces him to her son, Oscar, and Eric bond and it all looks like smooth sailing.
One day Eric is laid off from work and can’t cope. He remembers Day telling him, “Give yourself a break. All the time you were doing drugs, you didn’t learn how to deal with the tough things that will come up.” Instead of following the advice, he returns to drugs to ease his pain.
He and Ashley break up and Oscar is left without a father figure again.
Eric is on the streets again, stealing, dealing, and selling drugs to buy more drugs to get by. Eric sells drugs to a stranger who turns out to be an undercover cop. Eric is arrested.
Back in court, the judge sentenced Eric to one year in prison. In prison, he sees all the other inmates who are there because of their crimes, and many of them are there because of drugs. Then he understands that so many lives are ruined by drugs. When he leaves prison, one of the guards says, “Be seeing you soon.”
Out of prison, Eric goes to see Ashley and Oscar. She has moved on and doesn’t want Oscar to see him because it would confuse him and there is another man in her life now. She turns him away.
He returns to Jessica’s house and she says she cannot trust him and also turns him away.
Completely rejected, he goes to find Ricky but Ricky is no longer around. Then he sees Katelyn but she is nothing like he remembered her. She looks like all other meth addicts, haggard with sores on her face and thin. She remembers that he had the most beautiful smile when she first met him. She asks him when was the last time he smiled and he honestly can’t remember. Then she tells him why she invited him to the party. Ricky paid her five hundred dollars for every newbie she brought to him. She tells him she’s sorry. then she asks if he can hook her up with some meth.
He is sitting in the park dazed not knowing what to do. He remembers all the bad things he did to get drugs and all the people he must have hurt along the way. He thinks about the pain he caused Jessica. He sees her crying. Then he thinks about how sad little Oscar was when he left. He sees Ashley crying. Then he goes back to that moment when he was offered a beer at the basketball game then the meth pipe. Tears flow. He thinks to himself, “There is only one way out.” He looks across the park to a high bridge spanning a deep river. He thinks to himself, “It’ll only hurt for a moment, but anything is better than this life.” It’s decided.
Across the park, walking toward Eric is Sarah. Sarah is a pretty young girl. She is holding a cup of coffee and a pair of socks. Eric doesn’t see her. Softly, she asks, “Excuse me, sir?” He looks up. She has a hard time getting it out. It’s her first time. “Sir, I was wondering if you would like a cup of coffee?” Eric doesn’t seem to understand. He just stares at her. Then she says, “I’m sorry to bother you sir, but…” She loses her nerve and there is an awkward moment. She offers him the coffee and he takes it. “Sir, could you use a pair of socks?” She offers him the socks and he takes them. He inspects the coffee and the socks. He is speechless. “Sir, can I say a prayer for you?” His tears flow.
Eric, now 25, is talking to a teenager named Liam. Eric tells him this was his story and no telling what his life would have been like had he not taken that first beer. Liam asks Eric what happened to Noah and Andrew. Eric explains that Andrew worked hard and went on to be a sportscaster for a major league baseball franchise and Noah went to law school and became a very successful lawyer defending his tribe from the people who would do them harm. At that moment, Sarah comes in. Eric introduces her and explains that at the exact moment when Sarah came into his life, it was an answer to my prayer. God sent me an angel.
Eric’s Song Review
“Eric’s Song” is a poignant and deeply moving book that offers a powerful perspective on the devastating impact of drug addiction from the eyes of a teenager caught in its grasp. Written by Tom Monson, this heartfelt narrative draws readers into the life of Eric, a bright and kind-hearted young man, whose dreams and aspirations are overshadowed by the allure of substances.
The book explores the charming town of Willowbrook, where Eric’s story unfolds. Tom Monson masterfully crafts the setting, introducing readers to a tight-knit community filled with warmth and camaraderie. The relatable and endearing characters, especially Eric, his friends Noah and Andrew, and his resilient mother, Jessica, bring depth and authenticity to the narrative.
What sets “Eric’s Song” apart is the heartfelt dedication to those who have faced the consequences of substance abuse, emphasizing the stark reality of how one choice can alter the trajectory of a young life forever. Tom Monson’s writing is compassionate and empathetic, highlighting the struggles faced by teenagers who are often confronted with difficult choices and little understanding of their potential consequences.
The inclusion of a discussion guide adds immense value to the book, encouraging readers to engage in conversations about drug abuse, and addiction, and making informed decisions. By presenting Eric’s life as a cautionary tale, the author effectively drives home the message that our choices today can shape our future in profound ways.
The themes of friendship, dreams, and family resonate strongly throughout the book, making it relatable to readers of all ages. Eric’s genuine desire to have a family, the close bond with his friends, and the unwavering support of his mother create a heartwarming backdrop to the otherwise somber tale of addiction.
Tom Monson’s narrative draws the reader into the emotions and dilemmas faced by Eric, particularly when he encounters Katelyn, who introduces him to the world of alcohol and parties. The transformation of Eric’s character, as he wrestles with his newfound curiosity and the consequences of his choices, is both compelling and thought-provoking.
In “Eric’s Song,” Tom Monson skillfully weaves a story of hope, resilience, and the power of compassion. The book serves as a stark reminder of the importance of open communication with young people about substance abuse, empowering them to make informed choices that safeguard their well-being.
“Eric’s Song” is a beautifully written and heartrending book that sheds light on the impact of addiction through the lens of a young man’s journey. Tom Monson’s compassionate approach and genuine storytelling make it a must-read for individuals of all ages, encouraging us to approach the subject of drug abuse with empathy and understanding. “Eric’s Song” serves as an important literary contribution that will resonate with readers and inspire meaningful conversations about the consequences of our choices and the value of support in overcoming life’s challenges. Review by (OpenSourceAI)