THEY may be using beer goggles, but the statistics are still ugly.

Drink and drug-driving are major concerns for Cheshire police.

There were 2,430 positive breath tests in the county between 2004-2005 and so far in 2005-06 there were 1,472.

Now police are fighting back with a major campaign launched this week.

'Will you make it to the final?' is touring the North West using special beer goggles to show young drivers

how drink and drugs affect judgment.

They take penalties against a goalie then try it wearing the goggles.

PC Robbie Burns, of the specialist investigations unit, said: 'They disorientate you and mimic the effects of being drunk.

'It is strange that the figures are up. 'We took a toxicology report in 2004 and 30% of fatals were down to drink and drugs. 13% were down to drugs.

'In the mid-1980s only 3% were due to drugs.'

Drugs increase risk-taking, speed and confidence, and PC Burns is training 400 officers to recognise the signs.

He said: 'People think they can have a pint and a joint, but that magnifies the effects. If you are suspected in Chester then you will be fit-tested.'

The event is being held across the North West and is aimed at 17-to-25-year-olds, males in particular.

The first was at West Cheshire Col-

lege, Handbridge, on Wednesday.

Charlene Molloy, 17, studying sports, said: 'My mum was hit by a drink-driver so I am living with it.

'I think it is despicable - they should ban it completely, not have a safe limit.'

Winsford road policing unit's PC Nick Woodcock said: 'We urge people to take advantage of the buddy scheme where drivers get free soft drinks.

'We have got to do the same thing as we did to drink-driving and make drug-driving socially unacceptable.'