'Drugs are for mugs' - new police cartoon

22 November 2009

'ONLY mugs would risk it with drugs' is the theme of a new cartoon launched by Avon and Somerset police.

In a bid to tackle drugs, from street level to organised crime groups that import drugs into the country, the two new cartoons aim to explain the risks of misusing illegal substances.

The two-minute animation is part of the Street Level Up project, a national scheme, involving a number of different police forces working together with the aim of educating teens.

Designer of the cartoons, from the police's Internet Development Team, Ian Ball, said: "Educating teenagers about the dangers of drugs is important because it will be the time that some become aware of drugs misuse and begin to make their own choices in life.

"Through the video we want to show that drugs are not glamorous or cool and can end up wrecking your life.

"It is not cool and that is why we are telling people that only mugs would risk it with drugs."

Ian said the cartoons are designed to capture teenagers' attention and tell them about the dangers of drugs in a very short space of time.

In Lorraine's Last Laugh, four friends who get into drugs find it leads their lives on different paths.

With Tim it is a phase, which he leaves behind when he finds a girlfriend, but Nick, Wayne and Lorraine find it leads to drug dealing, addiction and even death.

In Nick's Desperate Downfall, the cartoon follows Nick as he uses a legitimate business as a front for dealing drugs before he is arrested, has his assets are seized and he leaves his family penniless.

The cartoons are now available to view on Avon and Somerset's youth website, Cranium Caviar at www.craniumcaviar.com as well as YouTube.