• Listen to this segment

• Listen to the entire program

GUESTS: Michael Kearns, artist and activist, John Powell, recovered crystal meth addict and one of the participants in the play.

The Tina Dance is a theater piece about the crystal methamphetamine epidemic that is sweeping Los Angeles. Meth users often abandon safe sex practices, which puts them at greater risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Gay men who use crystal meth are three times more likely to test positive for HIV than non-users. But the use of the drug is not exclusive to the gay community. In a 2005 survey, 58 % of US counties reported meth as their greatest drug problem. At one time exclusive among Caucasians, meth is now spreading into minority communities. Joining me in studio to talk about his theater piece, “The Tina Dance,” is artist/activist Michael Kearns, and John Powell, a recovered crystal meth addict who plays himself in piece.

Visit Michael Kearns’ website at www.michaelkearns.net.

Performances of The Tina Dance:

Santa Monica, Fri & Sat June 9/10 @ 8:30
Highways Performance Space
1651 18th Street
310 315 1459

West Hollywood, Fri & Sat June 16/17 @ 8:00
The Great Hall, Plummer Park
7377 Santa Monica Boulevard
323 856 6168

Silverlake, Sun June 25 @ 4:00
Space At Fountain’s End
3929 Fountain Avenue
323 856 6168

Admission to all performances: $15
Reservations Suggested.