www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 19 October 2015 Issue 1316 Free
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and how it’s being celebrated in the university p. 12
The Independent Voice of Newcastle Students
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Uni ends zero tolerance drugs policy Student campaign successfully challenges accommodation policy No more instant evictions from halls after first drugs offence University still “can’t condone any kind of illegal activity” By Mark Sleightholm Current Affairs Editor The University has changed its accommodation policy to remove its zero tolerance stance on illegal drugs. This was in part a response to a campaign by the Newcastle chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, (SSDP) an international network of students calling for a welfare-based approach to drugs policy. Zoe Carre, the leader of SSDP Newcastle last year, and now copresident of SSDP UK, spoke to The Courier about the changes. “I’m very happy with the policy, but I think there’s always room to improve it,” she said. She summarised the change in policy: “[before] it was basically ‘the University’s policy is zero tolerance, don’t take drugs’, and I think it’s a really positive step to be able to change that message to ‘the University’s policy is zero tolerance, but if you’re going to take substances, this is safer ways of using it,’ and signposting them to services.” This year SSDP has become a society, with the aim of distributing drug testing kits, educating students on harm reduction, and “opening the platform on drug policy”. Previously students found in possession of illegal substances had their accommodation contracts terminated, requiring them to find alternative accommodation. Although students will still have their contracts officially terminated, “the termination will be suspended on the condition that the resident agrees to refrain from any further substance misuse.” In effect this means that they would be able to continue living in student halls for the rest of the academic year, provided that they accept advice and training from the University about seeking help with substance addiction and misuse. Carre explained: “[The Uni] thought that evicting students was a good way to deter from substance
misuse, when actually people are quite vulnerable when they’re evicted, and can be more prone to using substances.” If students are caught with drugs again, or are caught supplying, they will be evicted immediately. This brings Newcastle’s drug policy closer to that of most other universities. Another major change is the introduction of a “medical amnesty”. From now on, if students call 999 “in a timely manner” during a drugs-related medical emergency, this will be taken into account during any disciplinary action. This was one area that SSDP were determined not to compromise on. SSDP got the backing of Student Council last May when their motion to encourage the university to change its policy received 95% of the vote. They also received the backing of last year’s NUSU President, Claire Boothman, and met with Paul Bandeen, Head of Residences. Bandeen said: “The campaign fitted in with the time that we were reviewing our policy anyway… when Claire Boothman and Zoe from SSDP came across, what they were saying did make really good sense to us and we think that it’s always sensible to listen to our primary users.” Dr Alison Oldham, Head of the Student Wellbeing Service, said: “I think it’s a good example of collaborative work between the University and the Students’ Union in terms of policy creation or amendment.” Bandeen continued: “We still want to make sure that everybody knows that we can’t condone any kind of illegal activity, but there are perhaps different ways to approach the subject which are all about support and guidance as well as making sure people understand what the consequences of their actions are. He added: “I think our policy is very clear and sets out very logically what people can expect and what the steps are if you do transgress.”
Editorial By Victoria Armstrong Editor
The View, student accommodation Image: Anthony Foster
The University’s change to its accommodation policy represents a needed shift in approach to drugs from deterrence to welfare. Increasing evidence shows that taking a strict approach to drugs generally is not the best approach, and that the benefits of seeing it as a health rather than a criminal issue have been dramatically underestimated. Under this new policy, students have a much better chance of being able to rehabilitate and cease drug use, rather than having their accommodation agreement terminated and finding themselves in the difficult position of having to find new accommodation, which may only exacerbate existing issues. Previously the tendency has been to imagine that the vast majority of the student body do not use drugs and to discipline the few that do. However, as The Courier’s survey earlier this year showed, the majority of students at Newcastle have tried drugs. In changing the policy, accommodation services recognise that it is a reality of student life that many students experiment with drugs, whilst at the same time not condoning harmful activities. This brings us more into line with other universities. It is key that the University constantly reviews its policies to ensure that they are as relevant to students as possible, and listens to student input on issues, as was done here. As well as being a great step forwards for the University, this change is remarkable as a wonderful example of how students can initiate change through campaigns conducted in a manner which is knowledgeable, organised and respectful to the issue at hand and all involved. Student grassroots movements are a vital way of encouraging reform and review on policies which have a significant impact on their lives both at University and higher levels. Hopefully this example will encourage students to become more active on all issues that affect them.