1995 Saturn SC2 A/C repair and freon leak. Please help

Hey all,
I am very comfortable with being under the hood and enjoy working on the car. I bought some 134 for my wifes car which needed it and topped off the freon in my saturn at the same time. Note the system has been 134a since it was assembled at the factory.
1 week later, I found that I no longer had ice cold a/c. Further review and testing has come up with the following.
When checking the freon pressure, it was basically at zero.
I have found that adding freon to the correct level works and allows the compressor to run for maybe 3-5 minutes, meanwhile I am watching the PSI slowly drop.
I have tried stop leak to no avail, and even used freon with leak detector again to no avail (at least under the hood). I am thinking it is possibly the evap core under the dash which I have not yet been able to access to check with the uv pen.
Everything I read states I must replace the accumulator or drier upon opening the system and I'm thinking if the leak is as bad as it is then the drying agent has probably seeped in enough moisture where its no longer good anyway. Anyone have any thoughts so far?

Next thing that also baffles me on this issue is the inability to find the drier. Its not where it should be and I'm told thats what I have as opposed to an accumulator however I have a small black container about the size of a coke can except half the diameter which is located between the compressor and the condensor on the high side. The auto parts guy says he doesnt know what it is as they dont make accumulators for the 95 sc2.
Is it possible that is an accumulator and I just have some weired version of my engine?

Finally, assuming I do find the leak and replace the part, is it absolutely neccessary to have the system evacuated and a vacuum put on it before putting a charge back in the system.

Any response at all to anything above is greatly appreciated. I live here in Florida, its the middle of July and its HOT.

Thanks