The Essex Police and Essex FM 2Smart 4Drugs roadshow is swinging into action again.

The flagship production which warns youngsters from 11 to 13 years old about the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse is now in its fifth year.

The new line up for 2001 features Essex FM DJ Chris Brooks, local singer Tina Cousins, up and coming band Frenzz with singers Kelly, Michelle and Shay D.

There are also performances from Essex FM Street Dancers and the Chain Reaction Theatre Company.

The roadshows spells out that drugs and alcohol abuse can harm health, relationships, character, finances and lifestyle.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: "The reality is that youngsters will unfortunately be faced with the existence of drugs in their community.

"When they do they must be in a position to decide for themselves what is the safe course of action.

"The fact is 40 per cent of teenagers aged 15 and over have tried illicit drugs. The greatest increase has been among girls.

"Sixty per cent of all crime is drug related.

"It is also a fact that in the UK, tobacco contributes to 120,000 premature deaths, killing more people than any other drug."

Essex Police Community Safety Department with Essex FM and with support from main sponsor Ford and help from KeyMed, The Portman Group and Sainsbury's are dedicated to tackling the drugs problem.

An expanded interactive website is online at www.2smart.co.uk which gives roadshow news, pictures, competitions and facts.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: "This site will be of interest to the students taking part, their teachers, families, friends and to anyone who wants to know the facts about drug misuse."

Nine schools across Essex will be visited next year by the roadshow.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.