The parents of Keighley teenager Karl Griffin who died last week say 'shock tactics' are needed to warn young people of the dangers of drugs.

Christine and Ernie Griffin, of Drill Street, Lawkholme, this week urged youngsters tempted to 'dabble' in drugs to take note of their son's death.

Karl's death has been linked to a 'bad' batch of heroin from Barnsley in South Yorkshire.

Karl, 19, died at a house in Fair Isle Court, Keighley, last Tuesday. An inquest has been opened to find the exact cause of his death.

Mrs Griffin says: "As far as Karl's friends and family are concerned he was anti-drugs, but obviously he must have dabbled with them. This has come as a complete shock. Like any teenager, if your friends do it and seem to be fine, it is very tempting to try it - just like smoking and drinking.

"But if you don't know anything about it or you take the wrong dos-age, this is what can happen. Karl was unlucky and died.

"Shock tactics are the only things that will make young people stop and think. If they can see the consequences of what can happen, those using drugs might be shocked by Karl's death and stop using them. If that happens, I would be over the moon because something good would have come out of his death."

Ernie, manager of the 'Ace of Clubs' day centre for the homeless and poor in Clapham, London, adds: "Verbal warnings don't mean anything. When you are told not to do something, young people sometimes do it."

Karl was born at RAF Wegburg in Germany on October 24, 1979. His family moved to Chepstow in Wales soon after his birth, before returning to Germany in 1982 for two years. After a brief stay in Newbury, Berkshire, the family set up shop in Hartlepool in 1984.

Two years later they moved to North Dean Avenue, Keighley, where they lived until 1996 when the family moved to their present address.

Karl attended Guard House First School, Calversyke Middle School and Oakbank School. He left at the age of 16 and did a number of different jobs before starting on a welding course at Keighley College, but he couldn't complete it due to glandular fever.

He then worked at Demaine J.A Vac & Washer Services, in Haworth Road, Cross Roads, before moving with his friend Joe Boswell to Norfolk to work as an assembly fitter. At Christmas he left the job to return to Keighley and was due to start work at St Christopher Foods, at Snaygill, Skipton, this week.

But what Karl enjoyed most was going out with his friends, taking part in karaoke evenings at Keighley's 101 Club and listening to his favourite bands - Oasis, The Beatles and the Stone Roses, playing guitar and babysitting for his five nieces and nephews. He formed a band, which had several names, with his three friends - Joe, Steve Wilkinson and Dave Anderton.

Mrs Griffin says: "He lived for his music and his guitar. He could always be found sitting in his bedroom with his friends composing songs. I'll always remember Karl for his great sense of humour. There wasn't a day when he wasn't cheerful."

Karl was fussy about his clothes and had three items he always wore - a pink Ralph Lauren shirt, a pair of white corded jeans and Reebok trainers.

Karl leaves his parents and two brothers - Michael, 17, and David, 22.

The family send their condolences to Michael James Clarke, also known as Michael James Bell, who died the same night as Karl.

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