Undertheinfluenceofher"bad"friend,Cathyiscaughtexperimentingwithdrugsbyherreligiousmother.Theparentsfeelthebestthingfortheirwaywarddaughterisalittlepsychiatricobservation.Littledotheyrealizetheyaresendingpoor,innocentCathytoahell-holeofaninstitution,wheresheisrepeatedlyraped,abused,andisindangeroflosinghermind.Theonlydoctorwhoshowsherunderstandingpersuadeshertobereleasedunderhissupervision.Cathysoonfindsherselftravelingfromthefryingpanintothefire...