-- NBA basketball player Carmelo Anthony will help with a state campaign against drugs and violence following criticism over his appearance in a DVD that warned witnesses against working with the police.

State and federal officials approached Anthony about taking part in the campaign in hopes that his star status will be a draw for urban youth, but his exact role has not been determined.

The Denver Nuggets player appears briefly on a DVD titled "Stop Snitching" that has circulated on Baltimore's streets since November. The DVD features young men who display guns and expensive watches, smoke marijuana and threaten the lives of criminals who become police informants.

Anthony, a Baltimore native, appears briefly on the DVD. He is seen talking about his Olympic bronze medal and saying that he threw it in a lake. The man he stands next to later goes on to tell how he would take care of snitches by "putting a hole in their head." However, Anthony does not appear to be taking part in that portion of the discussion.

The production includes music, dancing and spoken messages, with clips showing men stuffing wads of cash into their pockets, driving in convertibles, smoking marijuana and flashing diamond-encrusted watches.

"I just think (Anthony) was hanging out with some guys that he probably knew growing up and was just hanging out ... They got to talking and the last thing he was going to do is run away from it, so he just hung out with the guys. The last thing he thought is that it would be a production -- a DVD selling in the streets," Anthony's agent Calvin Andrews said.

The DVD prompted state lawmakers to propose legislation strengthening penalties for witness intimidation. Gov. Robert Ehrlich mentioned it in his State of the State address last week, calling it a "wake-up call for all of us."

Anthony later said that he doesn't approve of the DVD's contents and didn't know it was being made.

"I'm completely against violence and drugs -- that's not me," Anthony told The Washington Post. "I just want to get the word out. I've lost friends to violence. I would never support anybody harming anyone... I just want to help."

Ehrlich's office approached Anthony weeks ago about taking part in a program to counter the DVD's message. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., said his office was also talking with the NBA player's representatives.

"The power of his image and the influence he could wield, especially among young people who see him as a role model, would have a positive impact," Cummings said.

Negotiations have centered on what type of format would be best for Anthony, according to Lindsay Kagawa, director of community affairs for California-based BDA Sports Management, which represents Anthony.