1977-James At 15

This was a late entry to the 'relevance era' of television. James at 15 was an honest attempt to portray real-life 1970s issues as they related to fifteen year old James Hunter of the title.
Played by ubiquitous 70s everyteen Lance Kerwin, James and his family had just moved to Boston and had to deal with everyday life. This show laid it on thick. Teenage alcoholism, VD (what we called STIs back then), teens dying of cancer, teenage sex, cults, this show tried to tackle everything. James lost his virginity in the controversial tenth episode after which the show was renamed James At 16.
Initially a two-hour TV movie, 20 additional episodes aired.