---
title: "Crystal meth addiction unravelling lives and communities in the Karoo"
description: "South Africa’s heartland, the Great Karoo, is often romantically associated with quiet dorpies, wide plains and sheep farming. In this eye-opening short film, women and men from Pearston in the Eastern Cape talk about their crystal meth (tik) addiction, how good the drug makes them feel, and its tragic long-term consequences."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "STREET TALK"
author: "Street Talk"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/streettalk/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-20-crystal-meth-addiction-unravelling-lives-and-communities-in-the-karoo/"
published: "2023-04-20T20:41:26"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 164
---

# Crystal meth addiction unravelling lives and communities in the Karoo

> South Africa’s heartland, the Great Karoo, is often romantically associated with quiet dorpies, wide plains and sheep farming. In this eye-opening short film, women and men from Pearston in the Eastern Cape talk about their crystal meth (tik) addiction, how good the drug makes them feel, and its tragic long-term consequences.

By Street Talk · Published 20 April 2023, 22:41 SAST

## Key points
- Street Talk TV is shedding light on the harsh realities of life in South Africa with their weekly series, giving viewers an uncensored look at the lives of those living there. Through this series, they hope to bring attention to the struggles that many face in Pearston and beyond.
- Street Talk TV's latest film, 'Pearston: Drug Escapism, Unemployment and Socioeconomic Infrastructure', explores the struggles of a small town in South Africa.
- The film was produced by Street Talk TV, a non-profit organisation launched in 2008.
- Nathan Wallenstein (rapper ReCash) hopes the film will draw attention to Pearston's ongoing water and power crisis.
- Street Talk TV encourages freedom of speech and expression of diverse views.

## Content

The participants discuss the relationship between drug escapism, extreme unemployment, and the lack of socioeconomic infrastructure in Pearston. Nathan Wallenstein (rapper ReCash) who approached Street Talk to make the film, hopes that it will help draw attention to the fate of his historic (non-gentrified) town with its ongoing water and power crisis.

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlqhtyDHH-o)

This film was produced by Street Talk TV, a ground-breaking television and film series aired weekly on community television and on YouTube. In 15-minute films we capture and expose the lived realities and uncensored views of people living in South Africa.

![Street Talk Logo](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Street-Talk-Logo-1.jpg)

Street Talk TV, a non-profit organisation, was launched in 2008. For more than 700 searchable films and our latest news, visit us at [www.streettalktv.com](http://www.streettalktv.com), [https://web.facebook.com/StreetTalkSA/](https://web.facebook.com/StreetTalkSA/) & [https://www.youtube.com/@StreetTalkSA](https://www.youtube.com/@StreetTalkSA)

**DM**

*Disclaimer: Street Talk TV encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of participants who appear in the series - Street Talk TV - are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the producers.*