For years, UCL’s zero-tolerance drug policy stood as a relic of an outdated approach to drug use—one rooted in punishment, stigma, and the naive belief that prohibition alone could deter students from engaging with substances. It was a policy that ignored both the reality of student life and the growing body of evidence that criminalizing or penalising drug use does not make people safer. This year, UCL’s adoption of a harm reduction approach marks a bold and welcome departure from that failed strategy.
For those of us in Students for Sensible Drug Policy, this is a watershed moment. It’s not just a change in policy; it’s a change in philosophy. UCL has shifted from treating drug use as a disciplinary matter to recognizing it as a complex health and social issue that requires education, support, and compassion.
Why Zero Tolerance Fails
Zero-tolerance drug policies might look tough on paper, but their real-world consequences are anything but. Instead of deterring use, they push it underground, creating an atmosphere of fear and shame. Students who might otherwise seek help avoid doing so, worried about judgment, academic repercussions, or even expulsion.
This isn’t conjecture. Last year, Universities UK reported that only 20% of students who used drugs sought support from their universities, with over a third citing fears of punishment as the reason for their silence. A policy that punishes students for being honest about their challenges is not just ineffective—it’s harmful.
Moreover, zero-tolerance policies perpetuate stigma, branding drug use as a moral failing rather than a public health issue. This approach neither reflects the realities of student life nor aligns with the evidence-based strategies recommended by global health organizations.
Why Harm Reduction Matters
Harm reduction is about meeting people where they are—not where we wish they were. It’s about acknowledging that drug use happens and focusing on minimising its risks rather than pretending abstinence is the only acceptable goal.
With UCL’s new policy, students will have access to anonymous drug testing kits, online resources, and trained peer support—all of which empower them to make informed decisions. These are not tools that “condone” drug use; they are tools that save lives.
The importance of this shift cannot be overstated. Last year, the UK recorded its highest-ever drug-related death rate. While UCL’s student population may not reflect national trends in full, the principle remains the same: education and support, not punishment, are the keys to harm reduction.
A Smarter, Safer Future
As SSDP, we’ve long advocated for the measures UCL is now beginning to adopt. But there’s still work to be done. UCL should look to universities like Leeds, where drug testing kits are distributed directly through the student union. Expanding access to such resources would further demonstrate a commitment to student welfare.
Critics may argue that harm reduction policies send the “wrong message” about drugs. To them, we say: what message does zero-tolerance send? That our community would rather punish than protect? That moral purity takes precedence over student lives?
UCL’s decision is a recognition that the old way of doing things simply doesn’t work. It’s a win for science, for compassion, and, most importantly, for the wellbeing of the students who make this institution what it is.
Let’s not just celebrate this change—let’s build on it. Harm reduction isn’t just a policy; it’s a mindset. It’s time for UCL to fully embrace this new direction and lead the way for universities across the UK.
This article appeared in the Digestive 5
