TEIGNMOUTH artist Mike Nance, who has battled for years with the authorities to allow his mermaid statue to be erected in a prominent location, has taken on another crusade – against drugs.

He has been distributing booklets, the Truth About Drugs, in the centres of Teignmouth and Newton Abbot, as a volunteer with Drug Free World South West.

‘Recent reports in the Teignmouth Post highlight the growing concerns by the police and public over increasing drug use in public places, resulting in anti-social behaviour,’ he said.

‘The booklets are part of a larger programme to educate people on the dangerous effects of the most commonly misused drugs.

‘I feel compelled to do something and believe that if people know the true facts about drugs it will prevent addiction and misuse.’

Tomorrow, he will be in The Triangle asking people to sign a pledge to live drug-free lives.

The Drug Free World programme is sponsored by the Church of Scientology and aims to provide information on the effects of drugs.