A Brighton anti-drugs campaign has been shortlisted for its second film festival this year.
What’s in Your Pocket is a collaboration of efforts from Sussex Police and University of Brighton’s Bright Young Things marketing agency. The campaign aims to educate people about the increasing dangers of the city’s illegal drugs trade.
Sussex Police Serious & Organised Crime Community Coordinator, Steve Hill said: “The team up with the university, Bright Young Things and Smokescreen to produce the short film and associated website/social media content has been excellent.”
The short film, produced by Smokescreen, has continued to gain recognition, including selection for the Brighton Rocks 2021 film festival.
Campaign manager Jordan Lorence said: “It’s great that the campaign is being picked up as much for its stylistic choice, as the topic it tackles – film festivals are a great way to get the word out there.”
The Office for National Statistics claim that in the city there were 24 deaths from drug misuse in 2019 – the highest in the South East.
Jordan’s aim was to inform communities about the lesser-known aspects of the trade: “We are really focussing on what’s happening on the other side of the drug deal, what’s happening in the supply line. Debt bonding, coercion and cuckooing were main pillars of the campaign.”
Steve confirmed that: “Although still relatively new, the reach so far is in the tens of thousands and continues to grow.”
Survey results show that 7 out of 10 people who have visited the campaign now think about drug use differently.
