Young people from across West Yorkshire gathered at Bradford's Media Museum yesterday to take part in an anti-drugs event.

It was held to mark Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives Day and included the launch of a new book The Low Side of Getting High which has been produced by West Yorkshire Police.

Last year, as part of the national campaign, a competition was run in local schools for pupils to design artwork or write about the negative issues surrounding drugs.

That work has now been compiled into the book which will be distributed to high schools across the county.

More than 200 youngsters who contributed to the book attended the event, which also included a drama performance by Tong School and pop concert by NYK.

Inspector Janet Ballance, youth and school liaison officer, who helped to organise the event, said: "West Yorkshire Police feel it is essential that drug education forms part of a young person's education from primary to secondary school and beyond.

"We want to harness their creativity to deliver important messages to their peers, using their voice to speak their language and this book reflects that.

"I hope it will prove to be successful in helping us to tackle drugs and change lives."

Detective Chief Constable Julia Hodson, who attended the event, said: "I think that young people will be more receptive to the warnings given by young people of their own age, and so hopefully this book will have more impact and enable them to make positive choices as they grow into adulthood".

Bryan Dent, West Yorkshire Police's drugs co-ordinator, added: "Bradford is no better or worse than anywhere else for drugs, but it is our responsibility to the younger generation, who will be tomorrow's adults, to stop them becoming drug takers and drug dealers."

Also as part of the awareness day, a Mercedes car, which was seized by police in a drugs operation, was on display. The car, which is worth £60,000, is believed to have been bought with drugs money.

Mr Dent said: "This is a nice expensive car and we felt it was important for law abiding members of the public to see what profits people make from drug dealing, and that the police are prepared to confiscate their wealth."

National Tackling Drugs Day witnessed many events across the country to celebrate the unsung work that reduces drug misuse.

Secretary of State for Education and Skills Alan Johnson said: "The Government has done much to tackle the drug culture, but it is up to us all to take a stand and stamp it out."