Alcohol and Drugs Policy
University-Owned Accommodation
Purpose Statement
Accommodation Services encourages you to live a safe and healthy lifestyle and our policy aims to listen and support you if you are affected by alcohol and or drugs issues. In association with Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU) and Student Health and Wellbeing Service we will provide relevant information, advice, support and counselling for students about the risks that may result from the use of drugs and alcohol and where possible, how to minimise harm, including a helpful video on Understanding Drugs and How to Say Safe. Newcastle University’s Student Drugs policy also outlines the approach the University take on drug use and the impact on many things including your wellbeing, academic success, health and career.
Applicability and Scope
This policy applies to all students in University-owned Accommodation. The Alcohol and Drugs Policy deals with the consequences of incidents that happen when illegal (including psychoactive) substances, alcohol and smoking are involved. This includes possession, use and sharing or dealing drugs with your friends and guests within the accommodation and grounds or being present in a room with someone who has or is using drugs.
The manufacture and or supply of drugs is treated very seriously by the University and includes selling or sharing illegal (including psychoactive) substances. The manufacture and supply of psychoactive substances is also illegal and is included in this policy. Medication prescribed by a doctor is exempt from the policy, providing it is taken as prescribed by the named person. Although alcohol is not illegal we define alcohol misuse as any drinking which makes you act in an inappropriate manner, interferes with the health and/or social conduct within accommodation or has a detrimental effect on you or the wider community.
Our responsibilities
- to listen and support you if you are affected by drug use
- to support, advise and refer you to Student Health & Wellbeing Service, if you are affected by excessive alcohol or illegal or psychoactive drugs
- to protect you from anti-social behaviour caused by illegal drugs, psychoactive drugs and alcohol misuse
- treat disclosure of drug use as a confidential matter and with sensitivity
- any student found having used or suspected of having used illegal (including psychoactive) drugs will be provided with the necessary care and attention in relation to their physical condition
- remove and safely dispose of the items as they are banned within our accommodation
- inform and educate you of the consequences of possessing or taking illegal (including psychoactive) drugs within University-owned Accommodation and the impact on your health
- to support, advise and refer you to ResLife and the IBA (Identification and Brief Advice) process and re-education awareness training
- meet our legal obligation to prevent the use of illegal substances on our premises under The 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, and take appropriate action under the Student Disciplinary Procedures and Police involvement, if appropriate, when drugs are found
- not to condone the excessive or harmful use of alcohol in our accommodation
- to educate you about responsible drinking and if requested and available, offer alcohol-free accommodation
- to promote a smoke free environment as part of the University Smoke Free Campus
- to encourage a healthy lifestyle
- where appropriate investigate under the Student Disciplinary Procedure
This includes:
- the benefits of not consuming alcohol or drugs
- the health risks and how to reduce harm
- the legal position and possible Police involvement
- the academic consequences
- possible expulsion from accommodation and the University
Your responsibilities
- talk to us in confidence if you are affected by alcohol or drug use
- not to take illegal (including psychoactive) drugs into University-owned Accommodation
- not to sell or share illegal (including psychoactive) drugs with friends, as this is illegal even if no money changes hands
- not to expose your flat mates to the effects of illegal (including psychoactive) drugs within University-owned Accommodation
- do not negatively impact the trust people place on our University or it’s legitimate activities and interests by using illegal (including psychoactive) drugs
- to drink responsibly and not behave in an antisocial manner
- to smoke in external designated areas only and not inside our accommodation, this includes the use of E-cigarettes. Tampering with fire safety equipment carries fines of between £50-£150 and up to £300 for dangerous/antisocial behaviour
Drugs paraphernalia will be confiscated as it is not permitted in University-owned Accommodation but does not form part of the disciplinary process. Items will be available for collection from reception at the end of your tenancy. Uncollected items will be subject to our disposal policy.
Psychoactive substances will be disposed of as they are not permitted in University-owned Accommodation but do not form part of the disciplinary process unless quantities are such that dealing or sharing is alleged.
Level 1 student disciplinary process
If illegal drugs are found on you, or in your room or flat, the substances will be disposed of and you will be required to attend a disciplinary investigatory meeting with an authorised person. If you are present at an incident involving illegal drugs, you may be requested to provide a statement or information to assist our investigation. The Police may also be informed as they are involved with the disposal of illegal drugs. Estate Security staff may provide body worn video to assist with the investigation where available.
Failure to engage with the Level 1 process within accommodation, or persistent offences will also be referred to Student Progress Service . If you receive notice to attend a meeting you should make this a priority. If you fail to engage with the disciplinary process, then a higher sanction may be imposed, or your case referred to Student Progress Services.
Level 2 student disciplinary process
Alleged involvement in the supply or manufacture of illegal (including psychoactive) drugs will be treated very seriously. Your case will be dealt with initially by Student Progress Service under Level 2 of the Student Disciplinary Procedures.
An authorised person or disciplinary committee, depending on the process will hear the evidence and, if misconduct has occurred, a sanction will be applied according to the Disciplinary Procedures.
You could face sanctions ranging from a caution to eviction from accommodation at Level 1, additional disciplinary sanctions at Level 2 and possible expulsion from the University, if referred to Level 3 of the Disciplinary Procedure, depending on the circumstances and after full investigation.
You will also be required to attend a meeting with a member of the ResLife team to identify any support needs you might have, and consider alternative behaviour to maintain a healthy lifestyle (This will be known as an IBA meeting or Identification and Brief Advice).
You may also be required to attend a group awareness training session with a member of the ResLife team which will allow you to consider the effects and consequences of the use of drugs and alcohol to your health and the impact this might have on your programme of study and future employment.
Drugs paraphernalia will be confiscated as it is not permitted in University-owned Accommodation but does not form part of the disciplinary process. Items will be available for collection from reception at the end of your tenancy. Uncollected items will be subject to our disposal policy.
ResLife – attend an IBA meeting with a member of the ResLife team and a ReEducation Awareness training session
Student Progress Service – no action
Residences/Estate Security Service – in cases of possession where amounts are deemed appropriate for personal use, we will remove and dispose of the items as they are banned within the accommodation under the Alcohol and Drugs Policy.
ResLife – attend an IBA meeting with a member of the ResLife team and a ReEducation Awareness training session
Student Progress Service – no action
Police – It is illegal to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, and to either import or export psychoactive drugs. Any such activity deemed greater than personal use will be reported to the police.
Residences/Estate Security Service – will remove the drugs and pass to the Police for disposal. You will be required to attend a disciplinary meeting with the Residences management where depending upon the circumstances the outcome may be a caution under Level 1 of University Disciplinary Procedures.
Repeat offences will be treated seriously and may result in higher sanctions up to eviction from your accommodation, but may not impact on your academic study.
Your details will be shared with Student Progress and Student Health & Wellbeing Service for information purposes and to ensure that support for you is available if required.
ResLife – attend an IBA meeting with a member of the ResLife team and a ReEducation Awareness training session.
Student Progress Service – reviewed on a case by case basis.
Police – The Police will investigate any matter of reported possession and may issue such sanction as is appropriate. Confiscated illegal drugs will be disposed of by the Police.
Residences/Estate Security Service – where evidence of suspected dealing is found we will pass your details to Student Progress for investigation in conjunction with the Police. Your details will also be given to Student Health & Wellbeing Service to ensure that support for you is available if required.
ResLife – no action
Student Progress Service – review on a case by case basis with potential for disciplinary under Level 2 of University Disciplinary Procedures.
Police – The Police will robustly investigate any report of dealing in illegal (including psychoactive) drugs.
Appendix B
Definition
Drugs/Illegal Drugs: Illegal drugs which have limitations on their ownership or use meaning you are not allowed to have them. A drug is any chemical that affects the human body or mind when it is swallowed, inhaled, or consumed in another way. This includes, but is not limited to cannabis, mephedrone (MCAT), heroin, crack cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines (speed), ketamine and ecstasy.
Psychoactive drugs: are drugs with stimulant or mood-altering properties which affect your mental functioning or emotional state. This includes, nitrous oxide.
Alcohol: obtained from the fermentation of sugars and starches and also made artificially. It is the intoxicating ingredient of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks.
Tobacco: a substance smoked in cigarettes and pipes that is prepared from the dried leaves of the tobacco plant.
E-cigarette: An electronic cigarette or e-cigarette is a handheld electronic device that creates an aerosol by heating a liquid. The user then inhales the aerosol. Using e-cigarettes is sometimes called vaping. The liquid in the e-cigarette, called e-liquid, is usually made of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine, and flavourings. Not all e-liquids contain nicotine.