up with drugs, youths

are told

TEENAGERS are being warned that drugs will not be tolerated in Middlewich.

This is the message from the Middlewich Community Action Team (CAT) that is working with schools to educate children about the dangers of drug abuse and to combat any misuse in the town.

The message follows an incident in the town last Wednesday when CAT officers discovered 13 youths, ranging between 14 and 16 years old, in the female public toilets situated at the bowling green near Somerfield car park.

Sgt Gareth Woods of the CAT said that items associated with cannabis were found in the toilets.

He said: "Although no actual cannabis was found, the youths admitted that it has been discarded upon the approach of the police."

Police spoke to the teenagers involved, who all attend Middlewich High School and their parents regarding the dangers of drug use.

Sgt Woods said: "Parents need to be aware that this type of activity is taking place and I praise the attitude of the school who is willing to work with us in an effort to put an end to it taking place."

David Lythgoe, headteacher at Middlewich High School, said that the school takes the issue of drugs very seriously and that they work together with police to combat it.

He said: "We have drugs policies in the school and we take a very hard line on drugs.

"We have a drugs education section in our citizenship module and local officers come into the school to talk to the pupils about the dangers of drugs.

"We educate our pupils and hope that they make the right decision."