FDA agent Graves goes undercover as a driver in training for a Los Angeles trucking company to crack a case involving the trafficking of "bennies" (amphetamines). The bennies are being supplied to truckers for long distance runs with the result being a number of fatal accidents. Moving into Powers' boardinghouse upon arrival, Graves doesn't have to wait long for suspicious activity. Manic co-worker Connors seems to be on a constant unnatural high, Dierkes freaks out and attacks a Teamster brother with a meat hook, and long-timer Engel turns up dead shortly after warning the newcomer about the dangers of having pills for co-pilots. The increasingly addicted Connors becomes Graves' new partner and unwittingly outs waitress Anders as a connection. Meanwhile, Powers takes a shine to the "rookie" from out of town.
As a cautionary drug tale of its era, DEATH IN SMALL DOSES isn't as exploitative as HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL, but it does contain a lot more sensationalism than (say) a MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM. Drivers are dependent enough on their "co-pilots" to have a vial in one hand while the other is on the steering wheel, and violent attacks and hallucinations occur with amazing frequency. Typical of the era's B's from Allied Artists, it is consistently entertaining, particularly the performances. The MVP is ex-Boston Celtic and Chicago Cub Connors. Just a year away from his stoic signature role as THE RIFLEMAN, Connors literally can't stand still, constantly grinning ear to ear and delivering his hep patter at a mile a minute.