The most deadly recreational drug has become the most popular, in Monterey County and everywhere.

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On any given day you can find the tweaked meandering purposefully on Monterey County streets. There is no mistaking an individual in the late stages of meth addiction. They walk and talk and ramble semi-coherently, and look as if their skin has been peeled back to expose the raw wiring underneath.

I found “Kathleena” walking on a street adjacent to North Fremont Boulevard in Monterey. Although she didn’t remember, I’d met her once before backstage at a rock show last summer at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. When I pulled over and jumped out of my car to talk to her, she asked me what I wanted and I told her I just wanted to talk about meth. My odd request didn’t faze her in the least. On the contrary, she warmed right up to me.