UCL has adopted a harm reduction approach to student drug use, Student Support and Wellbeing Services announced last week.
The change took place officially over the summer after years of criticism from the student body towards its zero-tolerance policy, under which the use of illegal drugs was classed as a “major offence”.
The University said: “Whilst we do not condone nor normalise the use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs, we understand that addiction is a complex health and social issue.”
“This [harm reduction] approach enables us to give you the resources, knowledge and support you need to stay informed and reduce the harm associated with addictive behaviours.”
The new policy aims to provide students with resources and “student-led support” to reduce drug-related harms.
This includes anonymous access to drug testing kits on campus, an online module on addictive behaviours, staff training on harm reduction strategies, and delivering “specialist support” alongside the NHS Changing Unwanted Behaviours and trained student reps.
It follows a Universities UK report last July which revealed just one in five students who had used drugs in the past year sought support from their universities, over a third of which were worried about the consequences of coming forward.
The report added: “Our roundtables with providers raised similar themes, with participants highlighting that the students often express fears over judgement and punishment which deter them from coming forward.”
It is understood that the findings of this report were a primary motivation for UCL to step away from its zero-tolerance approach.
Students have long campaigned for the University and the Students’ Union to move away from a zero-tolerance policy.
Harm reduction has been Union policy since 2022 after it was voted through by student reps on the Welfare and Community Zone.
It is understood that UCL’s new policy was created in conjunction with the elected sabbatical leadership at the Union and has since been established as a joint piece of work that will continue across both bodies.
The President of UCL Students for Sensible Drug Policy Joss Baynes said: “We are pleased that UCL is considering a fresh perspective on Union drug policy that turns away from the zero-tolerance approach, which in our view, only promotes stigmatisation and punishment.
“Last year saw the highest drug death rate in the UK since records began, so it is crucial that UCL adopt a harm reduction approach.
“Ideally, we would like drug testing kits to be available from the Union, a service that the University of Leeds provides.
“This new direction is a real win for student wellbeing.”
Read Baynes’ op-ed, “UCL’s harm reduction policy is a victory for compassion and common sense” here.
This article appeared in the Digestive 5
