Such are the levels of drug violence in Acapulco, Mexico that schools are teaching pupils how to protect themselves in the event of a shooting.

The schoolchildren, who live in a state of fear due to almost daily shootings and massacres in the famous resort, are prepared for unexpected gunfire by teachers and police officials.

To prepare kids in Acapulco's elementary schools for unexpected violence, police officials have initiated a program to teach schoolchildren how to protect themselves in the event of a shooting.

"The situation in the city and in the country as a whole is critical. This is why we are trying to direct the children so they know what to do in these types of situations," said primary school teacher Carlos Cuevas.

The news comes as the nation's youth become increasingly wrapped up in its 'war on drugs' which has killed thousands since President Felipe Calderon stepped up the fight against drug cartels in 2006.

In October, 13 youngsters were massacred in Ciudad Juarez at a birthday party. The youngest victim was only nine.

Last week a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of being a hitman for a cartel. The boy claims that he was forced to kill by a drug baron who threatened his life as well as that of his sister.

In Acapulco alone some 500 people have been killed in 2010 due to clashes between the Southern Pacific Cartel and the Independent Acapulco Cartel, who are warring over control of the drug trade in the port city.