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Wlliam Abbotts had just stepped off the school bus when he heard shouts coming from the lake close to his house.

He saw a head bobbing up and down in the water and sprung into action launching his dinghy, rowing PC Mike Dawber and PCSO Andy Dolan out to save the man.

The drowning man had jumped from a balcony after police raided a cannabis farm near Knutsford. Despite breaking his leg in the fall the man attempted to swim away but became exhausted and began to struggle.

Will, who has been rowing since he was four years old, said: “I saw the of�icers needed

to get on to the mere and I shouted across that I had a boat. Then I jumped in, rowed over and picked them up. We just had to get to the man in the water.”

The man was pulled from the water and arrested along with another man after police discovered more than a thousand cannabis plants in a raid on the home in Mere on September 14.

“Will’s action contributed a great deal to a Police operation against organised crime and saved the man from drowning,” said Chief Superintendent Mick Garrihy, presenting Will with a Chief Superintendent’s Commendation.

“He did not wait to be asked but summed up the situation, stepped forward and offered

to help. He showed speed of thought, bravery and calmness under pressure.”

Constable Mike Dawber added, “Will’s action was brilliant. Not only did he provide the boat but his expert rowing got us across the water very quickly. The man was well out into the lake but he was seriously injured and was obviously beginning to get into trouble. It was important that we reached him as soon as possible.”

CHESHIRE LAD SAVES DROWNING SUSPECT

CHESHIRE LAD SAVES DROWNING SUSPECT

CHESHIRE LAD SAVES DROWNING SUSPECT

CHESHIRE LAD SAVES DROWNING SUSPECT

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A variety of drugs known as ‘legal highs’ which were freely

available to buy have been banned and are now classifi ed in the

same way as the likes ofcannabis and cocaine.

Hester Stewart, a 21-year-old medical student, and her boy-friend decided to try a ‘legal high’ called GBL which he had bought over the internet. After taking the drug Hester’s boyfriend said that she was talking normally and dancing.

However unlike her boyfriend Hester did not wake in the morning and what was described as a small dose had killed her. Since her death the government has reclassi�ied the drug and it is now controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 along with other so called ‘legal highs’.

Gamma-Butyrolactone

GBL is a colourless liquid which usually comes in a small bottle with a dropper. It is often found in industrial chemicals like paint stripper. When mixed with alcohol GBL can be lethal.The New LawGBL is now a class C drug Possession: Up to 2 years in prison and/or unlim-ited �ineSupply: Up to 14 years in prison and/or unlimited �ine

Gamma-Butyrolactone

The New Law

Benzylpiperazine

BZP is a chemical compound that usually comes in tablet or powder form. It is sometimes sold as an al-ternative to ‘ecstasy’. BZP has many negative effects like paranoia or �its and seizures.

BZP is now a class C drug. Possession: Up to 2 years in prison and/or unlim-ited �ineSupply: Up to 14 years in prison and/or unlimited �ine

The New Law

Benzylpiperazine

Synthetic cannabinoids like the branded product ‘Spice’ are man-made chemicals intended to imitate the effects of cannabis. It is often sold in foil packets and is intended to be smoked.

Synthetic cannabinoids are now Class B drugs Possession: Up to 5 years in prison and/or unlim-ited �ineSupply: Up to 14 years in prison and/or unlimited �ine

The New Law

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Club 5ive15 January 2010Open youth clubFriday night youth club. Music, coffee bar, sports, pool, meet new friends

The Hub@Connexions Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 6RSTel:0151 348 5621

Our pick of the goings on in

your area this month.

Free counselling service for 13-19yrs28 January 2010Free person centred counselling provided within a Youth Friendly setting

17 Cuppin Street, CHESTER, CH1 2BNTel:01244 972812

Visionary Drama Professional Acting Club23 January 2010Visionary Drama is the best value professional acting club in cheshir. Run by Actor Michael Burns, the club is for 13-19 year olds.

Winsford Lifestyle Center The Drumber, Winsford, CW7 1ADTel:01606 550700