Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Born to Win

Born to Win: Transactional Analysis with Gestalt Experiments is a seminal self-help book published in 1971 by psychologists Muriel James and Dorothy Jongeward, which integrates the psychological frameworks of transactional analysis (TA) and Gestalt therapy to guide readers toward personal growth, improved communication, and achieving a "winner's" mindset in life. The book was first released by Addison-Wesley Publishing Company and has since become a cornerstone of popular psychology literature, with over four million copies sold worldwide and annual sales continuing in the thousands. James, a licensed marriage and family counselor and early protégé of transactional analysis founder Eric Berne, served as president of the International Transactional Analysis Association and authored or co-authored 19 books on human relations and therapy before her death in 2018 at age 100. Jongeward, a management consultant and Ph.D. holder, collaborated with James to blend TA's focus on ego states and life scripts with Gestalt experiments for practical self-awareness exercises. At its core, Born to Win explores how individuals can shift from "loser" patterns—rooted in unconscious , , and ego states—to empowered behaviors through analyzing transactions in relationships and conducting Gestalt-based activities like and sensory awareness drills. The text outlines seven attributes of a "winner" for personal balance and growth, including being aware, spontaneous, and genuine, providing readers with tools to rewrite personal scripts, resolve inner conflicts, and foster authentic interactions. Widely regarded as a national upon release, the book has influenced generations of therapists, educators, and self-improvers by making TA accessible beyond clinical settings, contributing to the mainstream adoption of psychological self-analysis techniques in the 1970s and beyond. Its enduring appeal lies in its actionable format, combining theoretical insights with over 50 experiments that encourage immediate application for life-changing results.

Background

Director and influences

Ivan Passer, a prominent figure in the of the 1960s, began his career as an and , notably collaborating with on acclaimed films such as (1965) and (1967). This movement, characterized by its satirical take on everyday life under and innovative narrative techniques, positioned Passer among a generation of filmmakers who challenged state censorship during the brief liberalization of the . However, the Soviet-led invasion of in prompted Passer and Forman to emigrate to the , where they sought refuge from ; Passer arrived in shortly after, marking the end of his direct involvement in cinema. Born to Win (1971) represented 's debut as a in , adapting his European sensibility to American subject matter for the first time. Drawing from his roots in observational, character-driven storytelling, Passer infused the film with a gritty realism that captured the of City's , portraying not as but as a mundane cycle of desperation. His outsider perspective as an allowed for a detached yet empathetic lens on American social ills, emphasizing the banal horrors of street life over . The film's stylistic influences aligned with the emerging era of the late 1960s and early 1970s, which favored auteur-driven narratives exploring societal fringes, much like contemporaries such as and . The raw depiction of addiction in Born to Win echoed that in Jerry Schatzberg's (1971), a film released the same year that similarly documented the underbelly of urban drug culture with documentary-like authenticity, reinforcing Born to Win's focus on personal disintegration amid systemic neglect. This shared ethos contributed to a wave of films that critiqued the American Dream's failures through intimate, unflinching portraits.

Development

The screenplay for Born to Win originated from David Scott Milton's play Scraping Bottom, which he developed based on observations of real addicts he encountered while working as a waiter in a . The resulting script, initially titled Scraping Bottom, captured the gritty realities of in City's underbelly while transforming the stage work into a cinematic . Producer Philip Langner, who had previously staged the original play, assembled the project and secured financing from , enabling a modest budget of approximately $850,000. This support was crucial for , a émigré whose experiences fleeing the 1968 Soviet invasion motivated his exploration of American urban alienation in his directorial debut in the United States. Early conceptual decisions emphasized a tone, merging elements of thriller with to balance the film's tragic depiction of against ironic, madcap humor reflective of the characters' desperate absurdities. This approach drew from Passer's Czech New Wave roots, aiming to humanize the junkie without descending into pure or . The title was later changed from Scraping Bottom to Born to Win by to better appeal to audiences, underscoring an ironic commentary on the protagonists' futile aspirations.

Plot and characters

Plot summary

"Born to Win" follows J, a former hairdresser turned addict scraping by in the seedy underbelly of 1970s , , where he commits petty crimes to fund his daily fixes. His life is marked by constant hustling, including small-time scams and errands for his ruthless dealer, Vivian, known as "," who exerts control over J through threats and dependency. J's arm bears an ironic reading "Born to Win," a remnant of more optimistic times that underscores his perpetual cycle of highs and crashes. The narrative unfolds episodically, mirroring the chaotic rhythms of , as J navigates his strained relationships amid escalating dangers. While attempting to break into a for quick cash, J encounters Parm, a free-spirited who unexpectedly becomes his , offering a glimmer of hope for escape from his destructive lifestyle; they share moments of tenderness, including plans to leave the city together. However, J's estranged wife, , continues to support his habit through , complicating his emotional ties. J also relies on his fellow addict friend, Billy Dynamite, for camaraderie during their joint schemes, such as robbing a dealer's apartment, which leads to a frantic chase. Following his during the botched , J agrees to become a under pressure from Danny, setting up a to entrap Vivian by staging a fake deal. Tensions mount as Vivian grows suspicious of J's erratic behavior, culminating in a betrayal when Danny's team plants drugs in Parm's car to coerce her cooperation, resulting in her and shattering J's fragile dreams of redemption. In a tragic turn, falls victim to an overdose from a "hot shot"—a lethally spiked dose of intended for J—highlighting the lethal risks of their world. The film concludes on a note of despair as J confronts Vivian one last time and accepts free drugs, returning to his life in the unrelenting grip of addiction in Times Square. This episodic structure emphasizes the repetitive, inescapable nature of his struggles without resolution.

Cast and characters

The principal cast of Born to Win (1971) features George Segal in the lead role as J, a heroin addict navigating the underbelly of New York City. Karen Black portrays Parm, J's free-spirited love interest who becomes entangled in his chaotic life. Paula Prentiss plays Veronica, J's estranged wife struggling with her own addiction. Hector Elizondo appears as Vivian, the ruthless drug dealer who exerts control over J. Robert De Niro makes an early-career appearance as Danny, an undercover narcotics agent posing as part of the drug scene. Jay Fletcher stars as Billy Dynamite, J's fellow junkie and scam partner. Supporting roles include Ed Madsen as a detective and Marcia Jean Kurtz as Marlene, a minor figure in the periphery of J's world. J, portrayed by Segal, embodies the flawed anti-hero at the story's center: a former reduced to desperation by his , marked by a reading "Born to Win" that ironically underscores his perpetual failures and moral compromises. His character is defined by a mix of wisecracking charm and underlying vulnerability, constantly scheming for his next fix while grappling with fleeting hopes of . Parm, played by , functions as the love interest offering hope for escape, a free-spirited upper-middle-class drawn to J, though her involvement ultimately entangles her in his world. Vivian, brought to life by Elizondo, serves as the manipulative dealer and , a menacing authority figure who exploits J's dependency with cold pragmatism, representing the predatory undercurrents of the drug trade. , De Niro's volatile undercover agent, introduces tension as he pressures J to inform, heightening the surrounding J's activities. In the context of 1970s cinema, the characters draw on archetypal anti-heroes prevalent in the era's gritty urban dramas, with J exemplifying the morally ambiguous —likable yet self-destructive, akin to figures in films like or —whose personal failings reflect broader societal decay and the failure of the . Supporting archetypes like the enabling romantic partner (Parm) and the exploitative antagonist (Vivian) amplify themes of codependency and systemic corruption, common in New Hollywood's shift toward flawed, relatable outsiders over traditional heroes.

Production

Pre-production

The pre-production phase of Born to Win (1971) began with the adaptation of David Scott Milton's play Scraping Bottom about a addict into a screenplay, co-written by Milton and director , who conducted research by interviewing former addicts to authentically depict the drug scene. Casting was influenced by studio commitments and emerging talents. was selected for the lead role of J.J. due to his existing contract with , following his critically acclaimed dramatic performance in Loving (1970); however, Passer initially resisted, describing Segal as a "very difficult actor" and only relenting after persuasion from the writer to secure financing. was cast as Parm, leveraging her recent breakthrough as a supporting actress in (1970), which earned her an Academy Award nomination and established her as a rising star in . secured an early supporting role as an undercover cop after Passer spotted his stage work and admired his talent. Location scouting focused on Manhattan's to capture the film's authentic urban grit and seedy atmosphere, with principal sites including and nearby streets to reflect the protagonist's nomadic existence amid the city's underbelly. The production operated on a modest budget of $850,000, reduced from initial estimates to greenlight the project under . Key crew assembly included producer Philip Langner and cinematographer Richard C. Kratina, who aimed to blend documentary realism with the director's Czech New Wave influences for a raw visual style.

Filming

Principal photography for Born to Win commenced on January 25, 1971, and wrapped on March 18, 1971, spanning approximately eight weeks primarily in . Locations centered on Manhattan's urban underbelly, including scenes at and West 47th Street, as well as interiors like the Horn & Hardart's Automat at 104 West 57th Street, to immerse the production in the city's raw environment. The shoot employed handheld cameras to foster a documentary-style realism, allowing for dynamic captures of street life and emphasizing the film's gritty, unfiltered aesthetic. Actor improvisations were encouraged, contributing to the spontaneous energy but also presenting logistical hurdles in coordinating scenes amid the chaotic city backdrop. The production navigated winter conditions in , complicating on-location work while enhancing the film's cold, desolate tone. Technically, the film was lensed on 35mm color stock using a Mitchell BNCR camera by cinematographers Richard C. Kratina and Jack Priestley, yielding a grainy texture that underscored its low-budget, visceral quality. editing by Ralph Rosenblum focused on preserving this raw edge, with quick cuts and minimal polish to mirror the improvisational chaos of the shoot.

Release

Theatrical release

Born to Win was released theatrically in the United States on December 1, 1971, by , following its world premiere at the on October 9, 1971. The distribution was limited, with the film opening in select urban theaters to capitalize on its setting. Internationally, the rollout was modest and staggered, beginning in on March 22, 1972, followed by releases in on July 13, 1972, on November 3, 1972, and in May 1974. United Artists marketed the film as a gritty crime drama infused with , positioning it within the wave of depicting urban , akin to contemporaries like . The promotional strategy emphasized its raw portrayal of heroin addiction and eccentric characters, targeting city-dwelling audiences interested in socially provocative stories, though the title change from the original Scraping Bottom to Born to Win was intended to broaden appeal despite its ironic tone. Commercially, the film underperformed at the , achieving only modest domestic earnings attributed to its niche subject matter and mixed critical reception, which limited its mainstream traction. It quickly faded from theaters amid competition from more commercially successful releases of the era.

Home media

Following its limited theatrical run, Born to Win experienced sporadic availability on formats during the and , primarily through low-budget and DVD releases that often utilized edited television prints of inferior quality. These editions, such as a DVD from VCI Entertainment featuring a 1.33:1 , were frequently tied to the film's status, resulting in poor transfers and widespread out-of-print status by the 2010s. A significant revival came in 2022 with Fun City Editions' first official Blu-ray release, featuring a new 2K restoration from the original 35mm interpositive, which preserved the film's gritty 1970s New York visuals with natural grain, vibrant colors, and improved detail over prior home media. This edition, limited to 2,000 slipcover copies in its initial pressing, included special features such as an audio commentary track by film writer Jason Bailey and filmmaker Michael Hull discussing the production and cultural context, a high-definition theatrical trailer, an image gallery, and a booklet with a new essay by critic Justin LaLiberty exploring director Ivan Passer's career and the film's place in New Hollywood. As of November 2025, streaming options for Born to Win remain limited but accessible on ad-supported platforms including and , with , MGM+, , and available via subscription or rental. It is not currently offered on premium services like the Criterion Channel.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release in 1971, Born to Win garnered mixed reviews from critics, who appreciated certain elements while pointing out inconsistencies. of the awarded the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, characterizing it as a "good-bad movie" with some brilliant scenes amid uneven pacing that prevented it from fully cohering. In , Roger Greenspun offered a critical assessment of George Segal's lead performance, arguing that Segal lacked the charisma needed to unify the narrative and that the film relied on theatrical clichés and mechanical humor to depict the protagonist's downfall. Critics commonly highlighted the film's strengths in conveying the authentic desperation of through its gritty setting and character interactions, but faulted it for abrupt tonal shifts between dark and somber that disrupted the overall flow. These mixed responses contributed to modest performance, with the film earning approximately $5.9 million domestically. In retrospective evaluations, Born to Win has been reassessed more favorably for its appeal. It holds a 50% approval rating on , based on eight critic reviews that note its blend of humor and tragedy despite imperfections. Essays accompanying the 2022 Blu-ray release by Fun City Editions praise director Ivan Passer's handling of the material for delicately balancing absurd humor with the harsh realities of urban addiction, while also spotlighting Robert De Niro's brief early role as a narcotics officer for its simmering intensity.

Cultural impact

Born to Win provided an early supporting role for as a narcotics officer, marking one of his initial forays into gritty urban dramas during a period when he was transitioning from minor parts in films like (1970) to more prominent recognition in (1973) and (1976). This appearance, though brief, showcased De Niro's emerging intensity in portraying law enforcement figures amid New York's underbelly, contributing to his buildup as a leading figure in American cinema. The film contributed to the New Hollywood era's raw explorations of drug addiction and urban alienation, aligning with contemporaries like Midnight Cowboy (1969) and The Panic in Needle Park (1971) in its unflinching depiction of heroin dependency and societal decay in 1970s . Directed by Czech émigré in his American debut, it blended with stark realism to humanize addicts' manic struggles, influencing retrospective views on the genre's portrayal of alienated city dwellers and foreshadowing later works examining similar themes of isolation and . A 2022 2K restoration from the original 35mm interpositive, released by Fun City Editions, has revived interest in Born to Win, spotlighting Passer's often-overlooked contributions to American filmmaking amid his patchy tenure, where the film stands as one of his acclaimed masterpieces on . The film was featured in a 2025 screening series recommended by as one of the highlights for its portrayal of a middle-class addict. This effort underscores the movie's prescience in capturing the heroin epidemic's toll, resonating with contemporary discussions of urban drug crises and cementing its status as a quintessential, if underappreciated, document of New York's gritty past.

References

  1. [1]
    Born to Win by Muriel James, Dorothy Jongeward
    In stock Free delivery over $20 30-day returnsAn imaginative guide for self-analysis, discovery and growth—complete with experiments and exercises you can do by yourself—Born to Win uses psychlogical ...
  2. [2]
    Born To Win: Transactional Analysis With Gestalt Experiments
    Rating 4.5 (554) One of the all-time classic self-help books--with over four million in print. Twenty-five years and four million readers show that Born to Win can change ...Missing: figures | Show results with:figures
  3. [3]
    Born To Win: Transactional Analysis With Gestalt Experiments ...
    In stock 30-day returnsAug 30, 1996 · A national bestseller in 1971, Born to Win still sells thousands of copies each year. The insights in the book are now fundamental to how we ...
  4. [4]
    Biography of Muriel James | Author of Born to Win - Eric Berne
    Muriel James was an early student of Dr. Eric Berne and is a Transactional Analysis Practitioner. She authored the bestseller Born to Win and other books.
  5. [5]
    Muriel James, self-help psychologist, author of 'Born to Win,' dies at ...
    Feb 9, 2018 · James, who wrote 19 books and counseled countless patients using the psychological system of transactional analysis, died Jan. 10 in Pleasant Hill. She was 100.
  6. [6]
    Born to Win: Transactional Analysis with Gestalt Experiments
    Muriel James is a licensed marriage and family counselor, an international consultant in human relations to corporations, non-profit organizations and ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  7. [7]
    Born to Win - Blackstone Publishing
    $$12.49 to $35.95 In stock Free delivery over $35In Born to Win you'll learn: To achieve balance by becoming a more complete person in seven key areas of your life. How to develop and maintain a winner's ...
  8. [8]
    BOSTON PUBLISHING QUIETLY BUT RAPIDLY MODERNIZES
    May 1, 1984 · Addison-Wesley started its trade- book department in 1974, largely with money earned from sales of ''Born to Win'' by Muriel James and ...
  9. [9]
    Born to Win Free Summary by Muriel James and Dorothy Jongeward
    Rating 8/10 · Review by getAbstractAccess a free summary of Born to Win, by Muriel James and Dorothy Jongeward and 27000 other business, leadership and nonfiction books on getAbstract.
  10. [10]
    Czech New Wave
    After leaving film school, Passer collaborated with Miloš Forman, cowriting the screenplays for Loves of a Blond and The Fireman's Ball while also making ...
  11. [11]
    Milos Forman's Filmmaker Pal Recalls Their Dramatic Czech Escape
    Jun 27, 2018 · Ivan Passer, a collaborator with Forman on "Loves of a Blonde," spoke with Variety about the late director, to be honored at Karlovy Vary.Missing: background emigration
  12. [12]
    Still Free: An Interview with Ivan Passer - Film Comment
    Jul 13, 2016 · How did Born to Win, your first American film, come about? I didn't think I could ever make films in the U.S. My English was poor. After a ...
  13. [13]
    Born to Win | The New Yorker
    Apr 7, 2025 · It's the first American movie by the Czech director Ivan Passer, who films the city's street life with fascination while grimly observing ...
  14. [14]
    The Panic in Needle Park & Born to Win | Screen Slate
    Sep 12, 2021 · Two distinct New Hollywood masterpieces are in the spotlight again: Jerry Schatzberg's The Panic in Needle Park (which screens at Fotografiska ...
  15. [15]
    Born to Win Saw George Segal at His Peak, 50 Years Ago
    Dec 1, 2021 · Born to Win barely made an impact upon its release. It couldn't have helped that the thematically similar The Panic in Needle Park—starring Al ...
  16. [16]
    Born to Win (1971) - Trivia - IMDb
    However, Ivan Passer thought it looked so real, he decided to leave it in. David Scott Milton based the characters in this film on the addicts who frequented ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  17. [17]
    Born to Win':Czech Film on Addict Shown in Festival
    Oct 11, 1971 · Ivan Passer's new movie played Saturday night in the New York Film Festival at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.Missing: influence Panic Needle Park
  18. [18]
    Born to Win - Trailers From Hell
    Apr 30, 2022 · Ivan Passer's first American film and his first in the English language is a core life-with-a-junkie tale in a cold Manhattan winter.
  19. [19]
    Born to Win (1971) - Turner Classic Movies - TCM
    Based on the play Scraping Bottom by David Scott Milton (production undetermined). ... Born To Win was the first American feature-length film for Czechoslavakian ...
  20. [20]
    Born to Win - MONDO DIGITAL
    May 8, 2022 · They also have quite a bit of background info including the film's origins as a very off-Broadway play by David Scott Milton, who ended up ...Missing: development | Show results with:development
  21. [21]
    Born to Win - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 50% (8) Born to Win is a pitch black comedy and the 1970s New York setting is just perfect. The filthy, grime and grain which is associated with many of the films ...
  22. [22]
    Born to Win movie review & film summary (1972) | Roger Ebert
    and to throw in some slapstick along the way.
  23. [23]
    Born to Win (1971) - Fun City Editions
    He teamed with playwright and novelist David Scott Milton and producer-star Segal to make Born to Win, his first English-language film.Missing: play | Show results with:play
  24. [24]
    Born to Win (1971) - Cast & Crew — The Movie Database (TMDB)
    Cast 29 · George Segal. J · Karen Black. Parm · Paula Prentiss. Veronica · Jay Fletcher. Billy Dynamite · Héctor Elizondo. Vivian · Robert De Niro. Danny · Ed Madsen.Missing: film characters<|control11|><|separator|>
  25. [25]
    Born to Win (1971) - Scopophilia
    Aug 27, 2018 · Born to Win (1971). By Richard Winters. My Rating: 6 out of 10. 4-Word ... Director: Ivan Passer. Studio: United Artists. Available: DVD ...
  26. [26]
    Born to Win (Film, Drama): Reviews, Ratings, Cast and Crew
    Rating 3.0 (87) This must have one of the worst posters ever. Anyway, let's call it a tough, druggy noir with an anti-hero lead role for George Segal.
  27. [27]
    Interview with Ivan Passer | Olivier Père - WordPress.com
    Jul 27, 2012 · His best American films are Born to Win (1971) and Cutter's Way ... Karen Black who was in my previous films called me up and she said ...
  28. [28]
    Karen Black, Hollywood's great singer-actor | Music - The Guardian
    Jul 19, 2021 · If you've seen Karen Black in any of those early-70s films such as Five Easy Pieces, Nashville, Born to Win or Cisco Pike, you'll have heard her ...
  29. [29]
    The Deuce Notebook: Born to Win in Duffy Square - MUBI
    Jun 21, 2022 · Ivan Passer filmed Born to Win in 1971, just two years after President Nixon reported to Congress on the tyranny of the burgeoning heroin crisis ...Missing: financing | Show results with:financing
  30. [30]
    Born to Win (1971) - Filming & production - IMDb
    Horn & Hardart's Automat - 104 West 57th Street, New York City, New York, USA. (The location where J.J. [George Segal] and undercover detective, ...Missing: scouting | Show results with:scouting
  31. [31]
    Behind the Scenes: United Artists' Mea Cupa, Why Flops Flopped ...
    ... Born to Win (1971), was held up until the budget was whittled down to $850,000 – and that was a picture that had the advantage of proven star in George ...
  32. [32]
    Born to Win (1971) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Born to Win (1971) - Cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses ... producer. Jerry Tokofsky · Jerry Tokofsky. executive producer. Composer. Edit.
  33. [33]
    Born to Win - Blu-ray News and Reviews | High Def Digest
    $$36.71Apr 29, 2022 · An uneven mix of black comedy and serious drama, Born to Win never quite gels, despite strong performances from George Segal, Karen Black, ...
  34. [34]
    Born to Win (1971) - IMDb
    Rating 5.8/10 (2,438) This film is about a drug addict named J (George Segal) who has the tattoo "Born to Win" on his arm and he's always doing favors for a local dealer named Vivian ...
  35. [35]
    Born to Win - Production & Contact Info | IMDbPro
    According to Ivan Passer, Robert De Niro was nearly fired many times throughout shooting. ... Born to Win is a crime thriller directed by Ivan Passer (his ...
  36. [36]
    Born to Win Blu-ray - George Segal - DVDBeaver
    May 31, 2022 · The influential 35mm Mitchell BNCR camera was used and the image has beautifully rich grain. Colors have some appealing depth and black levels ...Missing: style | Show results with:style
  37. [37]
    Born to Win (1971) - Release info - IMDb
    Release date ; United States. December 1, 1971 ; France. March 22, 1972 ; Denmark. July 13, 1972 ; Sweden. November 3, 1972 ; Turkey. May 1974.
  38. [38]
    Born To Win - MOBFI-TV
    This film was part of the public domain for years and the only way you could see it was on TV or on bad prints of it on DVD and VHS.
  39. [39]
    Amazon.com: Born to Win [DVD]
    30-day returnsAmazon.com: Born to Win [DVD] : Robert De Niro, Jane Elder, Hector Elizondo, Jay Fletcher ... Karen Black, Max Brandt, Ed Madsen, Ivan Passer: Movies & TV.Missing: 1971 casting scouting budget
  40. [40]
    Born To Win (Fun City Editions) Blu-ray Review - Rock! Shock! Pop!
    May 13, 2022 · Based on a play written by David Scott Milton and set to a great score by William Fischer (who also did Roberta Findlay's Tenement!), Born To ...
  41. [41]
    Born to Win streaming: where to watch movie online? - JustWatch
    Rating 16% (55) Currently you are able to watch "Born to Win" streaming on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Philo, Fandor Amazon ...
  42. [42]
    Screen: 'Born to Win' - The New York Times
    Dec 2, 1971 · “Born to Win,” which opened yesterday at the 86th Street East Theater, the Victoria Theater, Broadway and 46th Street, and neighborhood ...Missing: scouting Square
  43. [43]
    George Segal Box Office Grosses | Ultimate Movie Rankings
    George Segal Box Office Grosses – Adjusted Domestic ; Russian Roulette (1975), Louise Fletcher, 9.10 ; Born To Win (1971), Robert DeNiro, 5.90 ; Heights (2005) ...
  44. [44]
    Born to Win - Screen Slate
    Apr 13, 2021 · Shot in New York City and released the same year as the similarly themed The Panic In Needle Park, Passer's film forgoes the sentimentality and ...Missing: influence | Show results with:influence
  45. [45]
    Ivan Passer obituary | Movies | The Guardian
    Jan 17, 2020 · ... Born to Win, though its blend of European and American sensibilities ... Robert De Niro. “I didn't know anything about drugs, so I ...