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    Man Utd star Brandon Williams caught inhaling ‘hippy crack’ in passenger seat of Mercedes

    MANCHESTER United star Brandon Williams appears to inhale nitrous oxide from a balloon near the club’s training ground.The £60,000-a-week full back, 22, was a passenger in a parked Brabus supercar.
    Brandon Williams appears to inhale ‘hippy crack’ from a balloon while in the passenger seat of a Mercedes Brabus
    Williams was seen with a balloon in his mouth as he passed a friend a nitrous oxide canisterCredit: Getty
    Full-back Williams in his car last monthCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    He was seen with a balloon in his mouth as he passed a friend a canister of the legal high.
    A witness told The Sun: “It was so obvious to anyone driving by what he was doing.
    “Anyone who follows United or football seriously would have recognised him instantly. It’s irresponsible considering he’s a public figure.
    “He’s meant to be a role model for youngsters and upcoming footballers.
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    “Taking that rubbish, especially so casually, could be hindering his ability on the pitch.
    “There is no doubt his manager will not be impressed by it.
    “He expects his players to be completely devoted to their career, especially when they are attempting to break into the side.”
    Nitrous oxide is an anaesthetic gas popular among young Brits who inhale it for a light-headed, short-lived euphoric high.
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    But taking the drug comes at the risk of heart attacks and brain damage, while prolonged use can lead to memory loss and vitamin deficiency.
    It is a criminal offence to supply nitrous oxide to get high but not to possess it.
    The Man Utd star is facing the wrath of his manager Erik ten HagCredit: Getty
    But earlier this week Home Secretary Suella Braverman pledged new measures to crack down on the “unacceptable” use of the gas.
    She said: “I am clear that the use and proliferation of nitrous oxide is unacceptable and we will be announcing new measures soon.”
    Manchester-born Williams has played just five minutes of football this season under ten Hag.
    The defender joined his hometown club in 2008, rising through the Red Devils’ youth teams to make 51 professional appearances.
    He has been linked with a move to Middlesbrough in recent weeks after failing to break into United’s first team.
    Man United and his agent were contacted for comment. More

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    Who is Jenson Button’s ex-wife Jessica Michibata and why has she been arrested?

    JESSICA Michibata, ex-wife of F1 legend Jenson Button, was arrested in Japan on March 20, 2023, for alleged drug offences.Here, we look at what happened to her and how long she was married to the former world champion.
    Jessica Michibata was married to 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button from 2014 to 2015
    Who is Jenson Button’s ex-wife Jessica Michibata?
    Jessica Michibata is a Japanese-born model.
    She was in a relationship with 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button between 2008 and 2015.
    They were married in 2014, but split up the following year.
    When together, she was seen on many occasions supporting Jenson from the pits.
    READ MORE ON JENSON BUTTON
    Why has Jessica Michibata been arrested?
    Michibata was arrested in Japan on March 20, 2023, after a package containing MDMA was sent to her hotel room in Tokyo.
    The model is being held on suspicion of violating the narcotics special measures law, according to the Japanese Metropolitan Police.
    She was working in Japan at the time of her arrest. She was born there, but now mostly resides in the United States.
    She has denied the allegations.
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    The drug was found when customs officers inspected the package after it came into the country from overseas.
    Revive, the modelling company which represents Michibata, said in a statement: “We apologise to everyone for any concern the reports of Jessica Michibata, which belongs to our company, have caused.
    “We are currently unable to contact Michibata directly and we are collecting information to confirm the facts.”
    Do Jenson Button and ex-wife Jessica Michibata have any children?
    Button and Michibata did not have children together during their relationship.
    Button married American model Brittny Ward in 2022, and together they have two children, a son named Hendrix and a daughter called Lenny.
    Michibata gave birth to a daughter named Joy in October 2017, but has never revealed the identity of the child’s father.
    Is Jessica Michibata currently dating anyone?
    It is not known if Michibata is currently dating anyone.
    In 2017, it was rumoured that she was dating film producer Ken Kao.
    Kao was seen holding hands with Michibata at the 2017 Cannes film festival while she was pregnant. More

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    I’m an ex-Premier League star who retired at 21 – I binged booze and cocaine for 25 years and am surprised I’m alive

    AN ex-Premier League star who retired at 21 after binging alcohol and drugs has turned his life around – and said he is surprised to still be alive. Billy Kenny was once one of the most exciting young prospects at Everton and was the best player on the park during the Premier League’s first Merseyside Derby.
    Billy Kenny was briefly the star of Goodison Park before his career went into a downwards spiralCredit: Getty
    Billy Kenny played in the Merseyside derbyCredit: Alamy
    But things would quickly unravel for the star and he would make just 17 appearances for the Toffees before being moved on.
    Kenny, who had the world at his feet at 19, struggled with drinking amid football’s heavy booze culture that was still around when he made his breakthrough in the early 90s.
    Issues with injury, depression and drugs contributed to his downfall.
    The star had wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Billy Kenny Sr, who played at Goodison Park between 1971 and 1974.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Now 49, Kenny told the Liverpool Echo how the dream of playing for Everton quickly became his sole purpose.
    He said: “Growing up on Burly [Burlington Street], wanting to play for Everton. That was it. That was all I ever dreamt of. In the ‘80s there were a lot of kids on the street playing football then.
    “Back in the ‘80s we only had a ball. Everyone wanted to either play for Everton or Liverpool. As soon as I found out my dad had played for Everton – I must have been about seven – I couldn’t believe it.
    “Naturally I wanted to play for them. I think I wanted it worse than any Everton player ever – the desire, the dream, the nightmares – and that derby game everyone goes on about, that was the dream. That was it.”
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    Kenny would break into Everton’s first team from their reserves and made his debut against Coventry in October 1992.
    But his big moment would come in December when he was named man of the match in a game against Liverpool after an influential performance from midfield.
    The Reds took the lead in the derby thanks to Mark Wright before goals from Mo Johnston and Peter Beardsley handed Everton local bragging rights.
    GLORY DAYS SHORT LIVED
    But the glory would not last long as Kenny quickly fell into a drinking problem and became dogged with injuries which required operations, keeping him on the sidelines and away from the pitch.
    He would leave Everton before trying in vain to revive his career at Oldham and Barrow, making only a handful of appearances for both.
    Kenny retired at 21 and fell into a spiral over the next two decades.
    He said: “I was drinking for 25 years and on cocaine for 25 years as well.
    “I am talking absolutely non-stop. I am surprised I am alive. I was just getting up, boom boom boom, two day bender, get my head down and go on a three day bender, two days of sleep, have a Chinese then back on it.”
    He added that the “worst bit” was the embarrassment it caused for his mum and dad, with his “ashamed” dad not wanting to leave the house “for years”.
    The death of his mother Bella provided the former footballer with the inspiration to turn his life around.
    He said that now he is “sober and great” and is reflecting on mistakes he made.
    Read More on The Sun
    Kenny got to writing during the Covid lockdown and put his incredible story into words as a cautionary tale for younger players.
    His work is being turned into a stage play at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre.
    Billy Kenny dreamed of playing for Everton but could not sustain his career after early successCredit: PA More

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    F1 legend Jenson Button’s model ex-wife arrested in drug bust as cops raid hotel ‘after MDMA package addressed to her’

    F1 LEGEND Jenson Button’s model ex-wife Jessica Michibata has been arrested for allegedly possessing MDMA. The model was detained by Japanese police after the psychoactive drug was found a package sent to her hotel room in Tokyo.
    Jessica Michibata and Jenson Button were together from 2008 to 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    Michibata has denied the allegationsCredit: Getty – Contributor
    She is a famous model in Japan and now mainly resides in the US
    Michibata, 38, is being held on suspicion of violating the narcotics special measures law, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
    She denies the allegations.
    The drug was allegedly discovered inside the parcel by customs officers when it arrived in Japan from overseas.
    Police traced the address to a hotel and room where the model was staying alongside another person.
    The other individual has been described as an “acquaintance” of Michibata, reports Mainichi Shimbun and The Japan Times.
    Michibata, a mum-of-one, is currently living in the United States but was born in Japan. 
    In a statement, her modeling agency Revive said: “We apologise to everyone for any concern the reports of Jessica Michibata, which belongs to our company, have caused
    “We are currently unable to contact Michibata directly and we are collecting information to confirm the facts.
    Most read in Motorsport
    “Since the incident is under investigation by the police, we will refrain from disclosing any further details.”
    F1 champ Button – who won the title in 2009 with Brawn GP – was in a long term relationship Jessica from 2008 to 2015.
    They got married in December 2014 – but separated on good terms in 2015.
    Button raced in F1 from 2000 to 2017 – winning 15 races and scoring 50 podiums.
    They were regularly seen together in the F1 paddockCredit: Getty More

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    Jarrell Miller and Lucas Browne weigh combined 43 STONE for fight as disgraced heavyweight calls out Anthony Joshua

    JARRELL MILLER and Lucas Browne weighed a combined 43 STONE for their humongous heavyweight fight in Dubai. The pair of veterans headline in the Middle East and left their mark when they hit the scales.
    Lucas Browne and Jarrell Miller facing offCredit: @ProBox_TV
    Miller, 34, weighed a whopping 333lb or 23st 7lb while Browne, 43, came in at 277lb, which is 19st 7lb.
    It meant the combined weight between the pair was 43 stone.
    For context, strongmen rivals Hafthor Bjornsson, 34, and Eddie Hall, 35, weighed only four stone more in the “heaviest boxing match in history.”
    Browne is coming off two wins, most recently against Australian contender Junior Fa, 33, in June.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    But he was left fuming when the British Boxing Board of Control refused to licence him to fight Daniel Dubois, 25.
    Miller meanwhile returns in his first notable fight since his disgraceful doping scandal.
    The American infamously blew the chance of challenging Anthony Joshua, 33, for the heavyweight titles in 2019 after failing a series of drug tests.
    He blamed the failed tests on a tainted supplement and stem cell shots in his elbow.
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    He then received a contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank stable but again tested positive for a banned substance.
    This time the ex-kickboxer put it down to a SEX PILL and was handed a two-year suspension.
    Miller enrolled in VADA testing in December 2020 and has returned clean drug tests since, which saw his licence in Las Vegas reinstated.
    The New Yorker won two comeback fights last year, on points against Ariel Esteban Bracamonte and a stoppage over Derek Cardenas.
    And ahead of his fight against Browne, Miller audaciously called to settle his score with Joshua.
    He told iFL TV: “Fight somebody that’s really game.
    “Regardless if you want to talk and bring up nonsense, listen you know what these guys do, man.
    “Let’s put our bulls*** aside, let’s be like men, let’s get in the ring and let’s really bang it out so I can really retire your punk ass.”
    Anthony Joshua and Jarrell Miller before their cancelled fightCredit: Getty Images More

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    Shocking moment West Ham thug ‘sniffs white powder off man’s head’ during match at London Stadium

    THIS is the shocking moment a West Ham thug “sniffs white powder off another man’s head” during a match at London Stadium.The deplorable video was uploaded to social media and appeared to show the horrible antics of mad Irons fans.
    White contents is sprinkled on a West Ham fan’s headCredit: Facebook
    Another fan is then seen to snort what appears to be powderCredit: Facebook
    Images showed one bald man getting what appears to be white powder sprinkled on his shiny scalp.
    Another hooligan then snorts the contents.
    The images come from a video that was posted on Facebook.
    In the clip, laughter can be heard from other people in the stands as one fan said: “Wheey, go on, video that… Go on get in there.”
    READ MORE ON DRUGS
    While, another man added: “Let’s f**king have it
    “Irons, Irons.”
    The video has more than 736,000 views.
    West Ham Football Club have condemned the shocking behaviour.
    Most read in Football
    A club spokesman said: “The Club is disgusted by the contents of the video and acted swiftly to identify the offenders.
    “In line with our zero-tolerance approach, details of the offenders were immediately passed on to the police and all individuals had their Season Tickets suspended and are therefore unable to enter London Stadium and travel with the Club for away fixtures.
    “Pending our own club investigation, this could lead to the offenders being banned indefinitely. There is no place for this kind of behaviour.”
    Met Police have been contacted for comment.
    In 2021, The Sun revealed football thugs high on cocaine were fuelling a terrifying surge in violence at stadiums.
    As a result, police chiefs called for tougher punishments for cocaine users at grounds — including more use of bans — to prevent a return of the hooliganism seen in the 1980s.
    Britain’s top football cop, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, warned that more fans than ever were ­taking the drug at games, creating a “toxic mix” of violence.
    He said: “As we see more violent incidents, cocaine is one of those factors along with alcohol that will make it worse, and make people more violent.”
    One supporter also said cocaine at football was so rife that fans snort it in their seats.
    That same year, a FA report said cocaine was the catalyst for thousands of ticketless fans storming Wembley for the England-Italy Euro final.
    Fans were openly snorting the drug at the showpiece event, with one yob bragging how he put a lit flare in his bum during a 15-hour drug-fuelled bender.
    Charlie Perry, 25, boasted how he had “banged a load of powder” during the big day and was then filmed firing off the flare in footage that went viral.
    Just before the pandemic, cocaine binges were blamed for a 45 per cent increase in trouble at football grounds over the previous two years — including violence, pitch invasions and assaults on players.
    One survey revealed that more than 30 per cent of fans had witnessed cocaine being taken inside a stadium — with six per cent admitting to personal use.
    However, drug possession or use was reported at only 103 of 2,663 regulated matches in England and Wales over the entire 2019-20 season, with the vast majority — 81 per cent — involving cocaine.
    Despite clubs promising tougher measures on stopping drugs being brought into grounds, one fan claimed cocaine usage was rife before and during games.
    The supporter, who does not want to be named, said: “You see huge queues in the toilets, you see them doing bumps off keys in the stands, or just off their hands.
    “It’s everywhere.
    “I’ve never known it like this before, and it just feels like it’s getting worse and worse.”
    Another Premier League club said they use dogs outside away turnstiles for every game and on occasions outside home turnstiles.
    Bosses at Tottenham Hotspur described the drug issue as a “societal problem” and that it took a zero-tolerance approach to drugs in the stadium.
    The club, where a fan was photographed appearing to snort a line of cocaine on the pitch in 2017, also said it works closely with the Metropolitan Police on drug-related issues, and anyone found with illegal substances are banned.
    Meanwhile, bosses at Brighton and Hove Albion said it was “increasingly concerned” about the use of cocaine at matches.
    The club added: “We will continue to take all necessary and possible steps to prevent any illegal substance coming into our stadium, and we will continue to impose very severe sanctions on anyone found to be carrying or using any illegal substance in or around our stadium.”
    The Premier League said it also condemned the use of drugs at stadiums and its clubs are working alongside police to tackle the problem.
    A spokesman said: “Possession or use of cocaine is a criminal offence and can result in a football banning order.
    Read More on The Sun
    “Ground regulations clearly state that drugs are prohibited and measures such as detection dogs are used frequently to combat it.
    “Our clubs continue to work closely with police on this issue.” More

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    I knocked down Muhammad Ali, fought a BEAR, went to jail for drug possession and inspired the Rocky films

    HE knocked down Muhammad Ali, twice fought a bear and was sentenced to 10 years in jail.The real-life inspiration for the Rocky movies really had some tough times.
    Chuck Wepner has had a statue erected in his honour after an amazing lifeCredit: Getty
    Wepner put Ali down in the ninth round of a contest that led to a viewer watching on closed-circuit Tv in an LA movie theatre to write a screenplay for RockyCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Chuck Wepner, 83, broke his nose nine times in 16 years and was known as the Bayonne Bleeder because such messy injuries were his hallmark.
    And for the man who joined the Marines aged 15, his incredible experiences make those of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa character seem like a week in a kindergarten.
    Chuck told the BBC: “Where I grew up, there were always two or three gangs.
    “And more or less you had to go up there and beat up the toughest guy to survive, which I did. I’d have a fight almost every week.”

    Following three years in the Marines he had 52 pro fights, winning 36 and succumbing to all-time greats like Ali, Sonny Liston and George Foreman.
    Liston gave him 71 of the 328 stitches he believes he’s had over the years – always with only ice to dull the pain.
    Wepner says he always gave everything in the ring: “Jesus, absolutely. I would go in there ready to die.”
    And with real Rocky undertones he added: “Matter of fact, after the Liston fight, I was in a semi-coma and I was in shock.
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    “My doctor told my mother I was pretty banged up. I really thought about whether I wanted to continue.
    “But then I thought, I gotta try, I gotta try again. I gotta give it one more shot.”
    And it was such spirit, as a 10-1 outsider against Ali, that inspired one spectator to dash off to write the screenplay for Rocky, which became the most popular film of 1976.
    Wepner became only the fourth person to floor the iconic Ali.
    But, to the dismay of a crowd who had switched sides to roar him on, he was stopped 19 seconds from the end of the full 15 rounds.
    Denying claims from Ali’s camp that their man had tripped when sent to the canvas in his ninth-round moment of fame, Wepner said: “Strike me dead, I dropped him.
    “I hit him with that punch and you can hear it on the replay, He was off balance and I dropped him and he knew it.”
    But he added: “I could see his eyes and I thought, I’ve really got him angry now! That’s when he started counter punching and swearing at me.”
    Wepner went on to fight wrestling legend Andre “The Giant” Rene Roussimoff, against whom he was counted out in a staged fight.
    Fans had turend from backing Ali to brave underdog Wepner but he was stopped just 19 seconds fromt he end of the 15th and final roundCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Then came two bouts with Victor the performing bear.
    Victor was so riled by continuous jabs to the head that he hurled Wepner across the ring.
    But the American revealed a darker side began looming in his life as he turned to “solving problems”.
    He said: “Let’s say I did a couple favours for friends of mine, you know.
    “I used to go around and ask people politely [about the money they owed] and then maybe I have to smack them in the face or something.”
    After retiring from boxing in 1979, Wepner admits he took cocaine – one reason he failed an audition for Rocky II.
    And in 1986 he was jailed for 10 years for possessing drugs – only to be treated as a hero by inmates and paroled after three years.
    He explained: “Give me a break. It was fine.
    “Everywhere I went, the guys were singing: ‘Champ, Champ!’ and saying to me, ‘How are you doing, Chuck?'”
    Wepner then won an undisclosed sum after suing for not being credited in the Rocky franchise.
    And now he’s got a statue in his honour.
    Read More on The Sun
    Not quite the equivalent of one of the three Oscars the first Rocky film won.
    But it’s still worthy recognition for a man whose character helped sculpt one of the most famous sporting characters in cinema history. More

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    I’m a former Man City midfielder but I gave it up to be a car salesman… now I’m a qualified counsellor to help others

    FORMER Man City midfielder Jeff Whitley made a drastic career change following his own experiences with addiction.The ex-professional footballer, 44, gave up his sporting career to become a car salesman – and he is now a fully qualified counsellor and psychotherapist.
    Former Manchester City Footballer Jeff Whitley worked as a car salesman at the Stockport Car SupermarketCredit: Manchester Evening News
    After ending his playing career in 2010, Whitley worked at a car dealership in Stockport, the Manchester Evening News reported.
    Whitley was a salesman at Stockport Car Supermarket.
    He told The Sun: “It was something I fell into after playing.”
    After that, he decided to change his path again.
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    He said: “I went into counselling sound because it’s something I was interested in – helping others and helping players.”
    Now, he has more than 15 years of experience in addiction and relapse prevention and recovery.
    He is registered under the Counselling Directory where his profile explains his background and aims.
    As an ex-professional footballer, trying to compete at the highest level on a weekly basis and trying to please others came with its own challenges and problems which I later had to address.Former Man City Midfielder Jeff Whitley
    Whitley added: “I have a strong passion for addictions therapy such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, gaming and gambling addictions, as I myself am a recovering addict and have been a member of AA, CA, GA etc for many years.”
    Most read in Football
    He is well-equipped with the tools and personal experience to help, as he explains: “I’m able to offer first hand help, guidance and continued support to recovery with a goal to achieve sobriety and abstinence from all addictions as well as relapse prevention.”
    He also works in Professional Football providing counselling, support, therapy and mentoring.
    He covers a range of issues including anxiety, depression, anger and confidence, particularly among professional footballers.
    Discussing his troubled past, Whitley told SunSport in 2020: “I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and thought, ‘I don’t know who that guy is.’ I’d completely lost myself.”
    He added: “There’s this ripple effect of people who are getting hurt through your actions and they can’t do anything apart from look after themselves. That’s my biggest regret.”
    That’s not all, though. Whitley’s career has been full of fabulous twists and turns.
    He even worked as a football coach at a development centre linked with League Two club Morecambe.
    The centre started in 2015 at Loreto High School, across the road from Whitley’s old school Oakwood (now Chorlton High).
    In December 2018, the ex-Northern Ireland international was hired by the PFA’s Wellbeing team.
    They offer free support to footballers past and present on issues ranging from addiction to anxiety, depression and “just feeling a bit low”.
    In 2019, he backed The Sun’s End of The Line campaign to help raise awareness of the devastating dangers of cocaine and its impact on mental health.
    Whitley explained: “When you’re young and you’ve got a few quid in your pocket, it can be quite exciting and highly addictive.
    “But you go from being super confident and chatty to wanting to be on your own in complete isolation.”
    Jeff Whitley is part of the PFA’s Wellbeing department which provides support to more than 50,000 members.
    They offer a 24/7 helpline, a national network of counsellors, and a residential rehab at Sporting Chance Clinic.
    Fellowships, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Cocaine Anonymous (CA), are available as well with 12-step sponsored programme.
    The PFA Wellbeing team provide individual action plans for members on issues ranging from anxiety, depression, alcohol, drug use and gambling.
    They also go into all 92 clubs to assess players and educate Under-18s, U23s, first-team, women’s teams and staff on the dangers of alcohol and drug use.
    Any current and former PFA members can contact the Wellbeing team with emotional issues on its email address: wellbeing@thepfa.co.uk
    Whitley learnt from his own experiences with drug use.
    He shared: “I was in a dark place. I had no excuse not to take it. I didn’t have to go into training, so wouldn’t be drug tested, and I wanted to feel better.
    “When I took it, I could stay up longer, drink longer. But if you take enough the buzz eventually goes; the buzz ends up being paranoia.”
    He added: “The insane paranoia is mind-blowing. Call it curtain-twitching: any siren, any noise, you think they’re after you. It’s a proper frightening place to be.”
    Whitley has real, lived experience with addiction and drug use.
    In 2017, his brother Jack took his own life by taking a concoction of drugs including cocaine.
    “I know how difficult it is for family members to reach out and help,” Whitley explains.
    But Whitley turned his life around.
    While in rehab, he learnt the root of his issue lay with unspoken childhood trauma after having been orphaned at age 12.
    Read More on The Sun
    “These things have a huge impact on you,” he said. “You’re looking for father figures and, unfortunately, some of them are really bad role models, flashing the cash and selling drugs.”
    Where to go for help
    FRANK
    Helpline open 24/7: 0300 123 6600
    ADDACTION
    For help finding a service or to Instant chat
    Change, Grow, Live
    Help for anyone with drug and alcohol issues.
    Dedicated help for people under 25.
    SANE
    Mental health support line: 0300 304 7000
    Help4Addiction
    Help, support and advice for those dealing with addiction and their families
    Action on Addiction
    Rehab and community addiction treatment
    0300 330 0659
    Adfam
    Helpline open 9am-9pm, 7 days a week
    0300 888 3853
    Help for families affected by drugs and alcohol

    23 Oct 1999: Joy for Manchester City scorer Jeff Whitley in the Nationwide Division One match against Blackburn Rovers at Maine Road in Manchester, EnglandCredit: Getty
    5 Aug 2000: Jeff Whitley of Manchester City in action during a pre-season friendly against Stockport CountyCredit: Getty
    Jeff Whitley prior to the Group Six World Cup Qualifier between Wales and Northern Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on September 8, 2004 in Cardiff, WalesCredit: Getty More