Mexican children's view of drugs

So far this year, some 3,000 people have died in drugs-related violence in Mexico. Drawings by children aged 11 to 15 at a school in Michoacan show how they view the problem. Leanne depicts the link between drugs and death.

"This is a schoolyard and I drew it because even in schools children are taking drugs. More and more people are getting addicted. If we have a friend who takes drugs we have to help him." - Valeria

"If parents don’t take care of them, children and young people can get addicted to drugs. The mother is crying because her daughter has got hooked." - Grecia

"People get involved in drugs because they are poor, or because they have family problems. They also get into crime so they can get drugs. I drew the police who come to defend the kids." - Julio

"Because teachers don’t pay enough attention, pupils can take drugs as they leave school. They do it because of the stress of school, or because of family problems or depression." - Jose Salvador

"I drew the traffickers selling drugs to kids. I drew them to show what’s happening in some places because parents don't take care of their children." - Josue

"This is a face with two eyes, one has been hit and shows the pain of people around, while the eye-patch represents the pain of the addict. Although a lot of people cry out their pain, nobody says anything." - Elizabeth

"The skull and crossbones symbolise that his heart is dead, and his eyes are red because he is already very ill. I put the question marks because nothing is known of his life because he’s taking drugs." - Luis

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