Jane, a social worker in Vancouver is sent out to deal with a broken home -- a mother named Betty hooked on heroine who is dating Joe, a drug dealer (who's already done time in jail), and her two kids, Jimmy and
Cindy. Jane soon discovers that Joe has abused both children - the boy physically, the girl sexually - and has the two kids taken away and sent to a foster home. Devastated by the loss of her children, Betty drives out Joe, while Jane, shaken by the experience seeks comfort in the arms of a former colleague.