KERIE Ann ‘Kiki’ Lewis-Thombs is known by all for many things across the media landscape, including being a radio host on Fame FM, Host for TVJ’s Intense, cover girl in publications such as Buzzz Magazine and host for the popular Chill Room on Digicel’s Rising Stars.

However, in her new capacity as self-appointed anti-drug trafficking advocate, Kiki shares her very own experience of being locked up abroad on drug trafficking charges in a tell-all documentary.

The documentary, which is scheduled to be aired on TVJ today at 9:30 pm, is part of Kiki’s way of dissuading persons from participating in the dangerous trade.

The documentary, Our very own: Locked up abroad produced by Advanced Media Productions (AMP) goes in depth with drug trafficking in Jamaica and proffers Kiki as a misguided 18-year-old who made a regrettable mistake.

Thirty-year-old Kiki has spent the last 12 years reinventing herself, working beyond her mistake and striving to use her experience to dissuade others from engaging in the trade. As a wife and mother, she uses the documentary to speak to how her naive decision led to her being sentenced to 16 months in overseas facilities. But nothing hurt more than discovering she was pregnant in lock-up and in turn losing the right to be a mother to her firstborn.

By sharing her story, Kiki hopes to not only be able to level with people who have been in a similar position, but to let current, potential and previous drug traffickers know that drug trafficking is just not worth it.

In an impassioned appeal she states, “I have always wanted to tell my story. AMP has provided the perfect platform to get the point across about things that I have had to endure having been incarcerated. I know of others who have gone through the same thing and have not been able to bounce back, but I am here to let them know they can; and to dissuade others from engaging in drug trafficking because of the consequences involved,” she said

Host for the documentary, Julius J Levy, also reiterated the importance of having Kiki’s story documented as an educational and awareness tool. He adds, “Kerie’s story is one we know will have a huge impact on Caribbean nationals, especially our youth. By sharing our stories, we encourage, especially our youth, to develop gumption whether before, during or after being involved in activities that stunt our growth as a society.”

Essentially, the documentary will show Kiki’s story, while spreading the message that no matter the circumstance, background or situation, drug trafficking just isn’t worth it.

According to data from the Statistical Institute, in 2008 over 1000 Jamaicans were deported from varied ports in the United States, Canada, the UK and the Caribbean.