Universities UK (UUK) has today announced new work, in
partnership with Unite Students, GuildHE and Independent HE, to
set out a common approach to reduce harms from drug use and to
better tackle supply. This comes as institutions are expressing
concern about the impact of student drug use with associated
risks of learning and mental health problems, of damage to future
job prospects, of addiction and avoidable deaths.
The work will:
- Produce evidence-led sector guidance – developed with
students, staff and wider stakeholders – including
recommendations that are firmly based on harm reduction.
- Better understand supply of, demand for and use of drugs in
the UK student population.
- Survey current approaches – and spotlight national and
international best practice – to drugs education, support,
treatment and recovery.
- Set out a clear description of the law and current policing
for universities across the four nations of the UK.
- Make student drug use visible as a welfare and health issue
with consequences for exploitation, mental health, learning,
employability and community.
To direct the work, UUK has established a taskforce, chaired by
Professor Nic Beech, Vice Chancellor, Middlesex University
London. It will bring together government departments, sector
agencies, the NUS, accommodation providers, public health,
charities and police, with standalone research and student
advisory panels.
Professor Dame Carol Black, who recently lead the government’s
independent review of
drugs, Dr Ed Day, National Recovery Champion and Professor
Owen Bowden-Jones,Chair, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
(ACMD), will act as special advisors.
Later this year, UUK and Unite Students will publish a research
report based on an upcoming wide-ranging student survey. Findings
from the report will help shape UUK’s guidance, highlighting best
practice and outlining a sector-led approach to tackling drug use
in universities.
Professor Dame Carol Black said:
“One of the key findings of my independent review was the rise in
recreational drug use and associated harms among young adults.
The government’s 10 year drug strategy responded to this finding
with a commitment to reducing drug use among young people. I am
pleased to support this university sector-led initiative and
particularly welcome the emphasis on better understanding student
drug use and what works to address it.”
Professor Nic Beech said:
“I am delighted to lead this important work for UUK and the
sector. Drug use is still largely an unspoken issue across UK
universities despite the fact that it may impact on learning, on
mental health and on students’ future job prospects. The launch
of this work signals our firm intention to develop a proactive
approach with student safety and health at its heart to help
universities understand and address drug use.”
Richard Smith, Chief Executive of Unite Students
said:
“As the UK’s leading provider of student accommodation, the
welfare and wellbeing of students are priorities, and we are
therefore proud to be able to play our part in supporting
Universities UK by being involved with this important research
for the UK higher education sector. We are keen to better
understand the extent to which drug use and supply impacts on
students, their mental health and ability to succeed while
studying and living at university.”
ENDS
Notes:
- Universities UK is the collective voice of 140 universities
in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its mission is
to create the conditions for UK universities to be the best in
the world; maximising their positive impact locally, nationally
and globally. Universities UK acts on behalf of universities,
represented by their heads of institution. www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
- GuildHE is an officially recognised representative body for
UK Higher Education. Our members include universities, university
colleges, further education colleges and specialist institutions
from both the traditional and private sectors. Member
institutions include some major providers in professional subject
areas including art, design and media, music and the performing
arts; agriculture and food; the built environment; education;
health and sports. They have teaching staff that are often
industry professionals and are close to the industries they
serve.
- IHE is a UK membership organisation and formal
representative body which exists to support, develop and promote
independent providers of higher education, professional training
and pathways. IHE’s members include household names such as the
Royal Academy and Le Cordon Bleu, long established independent
colleges Spurgeon’s College and City & Guilds of London Art
School, innovative new providers TEDI-London and the Dyson
Institute of Engineering and Technology, industry leading
technical institutes Futureworks and Met Film School and global
education pathway providers Kaplan and Study Group.
