Two years after Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) launched the Drug and Alcohol Impact pilot, we reflect on the lessons learned in transitioning away from a purely punitive approach to student drug use.
Historically, UK university campuses have taken a zero-tolerance approach to student drug use. Whilst potentially aiming to reduce the prevalence, the Taking the Hit survey found that 65 per cent of students were unaware or did not know about their university’s drug policy, suggesting that this was an ineffective deterrent. As described in the HEPI debate paper, these policies may be not only ineffective but also cause further harm by preventing students from accessing support due to fear of punishment or other repercussions.
In November 2020, following a six-month sector-wide consultation, Drug and Alcohol Impact launched as a two-year pilot at four universities. The accreditation programme supported these universities and their students’ unions to take a harm reduction approach to student drug use that firmly prioritised the support and safety of students.
