Bob Forrest’s latest book, Running With Monsters: A Memoir, includes a section detailing an attempt by himself and then-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante to help Layne Staley with his drug addiction.
via Alternative Nation
Though known as vocalist and songwriter for post-punk band Thelonious Monster, Forrest is also a noted drug counselor, previously serving as the Chemical Dependency Program Director at Las Encinas Hospital. His latest book, a memoir, describes an attempt with John Frusciante (whom he had helped with recovery in 1997) to reach out to Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley.
Well known for his addictions and frequent use of crack and heroin, Staley had retreated to the isolation of his condo in Seattle by the time Forrest and Frusciante attempted to reach him (around 1999/2000). Through Staley’s mother, the two managed to get some time to talk to Layne and make their points, during which time he played video games and “pretended to listen” according to Forrest.
Bob: “Hey Layne. What’s going on.”
Layne: “Nothing. I know why you’re here.”
Bob: “Your Mom’s worried, man. You don’t look too good.”
Layne: “I’m okay, though. Really.”
The two then left, forced to concede that they couldn’t help him if he didn’t want to get clean. Layne Staley later died of an overdose on April 5, 2002.
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