Two former school friends have turned back the years to work together to warn pub-goers of the dangers of spiked drinks.
PC Max Bevan, Crime Prevention Officer of Dyfed-Powys Police, has joined together with the four Welsh Police forces to produce beer mats featuring a stark warning to drinkers about the growing threat posed by the use of the 'date rape' drug, Rohypnol, in licensed premises.
However, faced with the daunting task of distributing some 20,000 mats to pubs and clubs across the region in the weeks leading up to Christmas, he turned to former school mate, Andrew Lloyd, for help.
Andrew works for distribution company, Tradeteam, which delivers drinks products on behalf of brand owners and brewers, including Interbrew UK and Coors.
The pair, both former pupils of Narberth County Secondary School, pooled their resources and the result is that beer mats are now being distributed to pubs and clubs along with beer deliveries through the Tradeteam network.
Max said: "This campaign will help ensure that the licensed trade is a safe place for people to enjoy themselves by reducing the risk associated with this type of crime."
The bright yellow mats, which are bilingual, communicate the message 'Think safe. Drink safe' through advising consumers not to leave their drink unattended, not to accept drinks from strangers and to avoid unfamiliar places.
Steve Cahillane, regional president for Interbrew UK and Ireland, the brewer of brands such as Stella Artois and Boddingtons, said: "We want to raise awareness of the issue and provide advice for consumers on what they can do to avoid potential problems. This beer mat campaign will reinforce this warning message to people when they are in pubs and clubs having a drink."
All four police forces in Wales have also produced posters and credit card size leaflets which are being circulated to around 3,500 pubs and bars across the country warning of the growing problem of spiked drinks.