Student Drugs and Alcohol Use Policy

• 1.1 This policy relates to the use of alcohol and other drugs by students that are controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and the unauthorised use and possession of prescription medicines regulated by the Medicines Act 1968.
• 1.2  The University of Northampton (‘the university’) is committed to supporting the health, wellbeing and safety of all of its staff and students. Its policies and processes will support this ambition and focus on the promotion of positive and meaningful actions and behaviours aiming to reduce harms within the university community.
• 1.3  In response to the reality of the use of drugs including alcohol, the university has chosen to adopt a policy of harm reduction. Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach with a variety of policy and practice interventions aimed at reducing negative outcomes of the use of drugs including alcohol to users, their communities and wider society. The primary focus of harm reduction is the safety and wellbeing of the person and those around them rather than on their use of drugs including alcohol.
• 1.4  The university will work proactively to reduce the harmful impact of alcohol and other drugs in order to prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing of everyone in our community.

• 1.1  The purpose of this policy is to set a clear framework of acceptable and responsible behaviour (see especially Sections 4 and 5 below) and be clear regarding the possible disciplinary action for related misconduct arising from the possession, supply or use of prohibited drugs.
• 1.2  It also outlines the role of the university in providing necessary support and education to students, and the responsibilities of the university and students in regard to the use of alcohol and other drugs.
• 1.3  Existing University policies apply to allegations of unacceptable or dangerous behaviours, bullying, sexual violence, racial or gender discrimination, and issues related to fitness to practice or study, where alcohol or other drugs are involved (see Section 6 below).
• 1.4  The Academic Registrar (or nominee) will have the ultimate decision on which is the most appropriate policy to use in cases of alleged misconduct or a breach of the University’s General Student Regulations & Student Code of Conduct or one of the specific Codes of Conduct.
• 1.5  The university also recognises that in some cases there may be Professional, Regulatory or legal implications, and these sit outside of the policy.
• 1.6  This Policy applies to any activities engaged in, or services and facilities used, as a student of the University, or in the vicinity of any premises owned, leased or managed by the University.

• 3.1  It is important to highlight that the university does not condone the possession, use or supply of illegal drugs in, or on, any premises under their control and will work with the Police to take action if and when this occurs. It does seek to tackle the issue of substance misuse by focusing on support and education to reduce harm, concentrating on making positive life choices, setting a framework of acceptable and responsible behaviour, and the action that may be taken in the event of a breach of acceptable and responsible behaviour.
• 3.2  When taking action in the event of a breach of acceptable behaviour related to the use of alcohol or drugs, the University will, where possible and appropriate, propose supportive, restorative and educational measures which seek to provide support to students.

• 4.1   Students of the university have a responsibility to be an effective and professional representative of the institution; they should not misuse controlled drugs or alcohol, share controlled drugs with others or sell controlled drugs. This has particular relevance where it impacts on the safety the individual concerned, fellow students, University colleagues or the local community.
• 4.2  It is the University’s responsibility to Safeguard the university community and to provide students with appropriate support. The University will take a proactive approach to support and will always take student drug use, and alcohol misuse, seriously.
• 4.3  The University will ensure support mechanisms are in place for those concerned about their use of drugs and alcohol, and those in recovery.
• 4.4  Those who wish to seek support to change their alcohol or drug use will not be punished for doing so (although see 2.5 above for issues outside of the scope of this Policy).
• 4.5  The university will provide education to students via training and campaigns to ensure decision making is more informed and all are aware of the support available.
• 4.6  The university will ensure that staff receive training, development and resources to support the implementation of a harm reduction approach and effectively support students who wish to change their relationship with drugs and alcohol.
• 4.7  To achieve this the University is committed to working with the Students’ Union, Campus Police, Security and Campus Safety, Accommodation and Residential Life, Student Services and other relevant internal stakeholders and external agencies.

• 5.1  Student Disciplinary Process – When it is alleged that a breach of the Student Code of Conduct and General Student Regulations, a specific Code of Conduct, or other binding University agreements has taken place, the matter will be referred to the Academic Registrar, or nominee, to be considered in line with the student disciplinary policy, fitness to study or other appropriate policies. When a level of breach has been decided, in cases of drug and alcohol use, they will refer students to appropriate support measures to run alongside the disciplinary process.  Level 1 for alternative intervention for low level and/or first offence and at Level 2 for support interventions by appropriate internal and/or external agencies.
• 5.2  Where students are referred to the University via the Emerging Concern Form or the SU and no disciplinary breach has occurred then students may be referred to an appropriate intervention from university or external agencies via Students of Concern meeting.
• 5.3  Residential Life will manage developmental interventions following incidents of drug and alcohol misuse in University accommodation.  These may be referred from the University Disciplinary process and/or Student Services or the Student Union.

• Student Disciplinary 
• Student Code of Conduct 
• Fitness to Practice 
• Health, Wellbeing and Fitness to Study 
• University Accommodation Tenancy Agreement 
• Harm Reduction Statement
• Misconduct Policy (Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination and Sexual Violence)
• Terms of Conditions of Residency
• Residential Life Confidentiality Statement 

• Enabling Student Health and Success (UKK)

This accordion shows who is responsible in the University for keeping this policy updated and the timeline for ensuring this work is completed.

• Policy Owner – Academic Registrar
• Principle Contact – Director of Library, Learning and Student Services
• Date of initial committee approval – 10 December 2024