The Partnership for a Drug-Free Texas has inked a deal with illustrator Jim Benton to create a series of anti-drug messages using his popular 'Happy Bunny' character, the Houston Chronicle reported Oct. 20.

Happy Bunny's mix of innocent demeanor and cutting humor have made the character popular with young adolescents, and Texas prevention experts say the campaign should enjoy some credibility with youths. Messages include Happy Bunny saying, "Drugs. The perfect choice for kids who want to be stupid but weren't born that way" and "Meth. Finally a simple way to become a twitchy idiot in no time."

Happy Bunny appears on T-shirts and other merchandise sold in stores like Hot Topic, Claire's, Sears, J.C. Penney and Kohl's. Scholastic's "It's Happy Bunny" books are top-sellers.

Benton said the character is funny, but not preachy. "Some people don't get that it's a goof, or some people think that everything is representative of something else," he said. "You really have to know the difference between right and wrong to get it. It's Happy Bunny says the things you're thinking but don't say."

The Texas Partnership will distribute Happy Bunny stickers and posters, but also hopes that stores order other items with the anti-drug messages.