Student Recreational Drug, Cognitive Enhancing Drugs, and Alcohol Strategy and Operational

1. Background

Alcohol

1.1. Alcohol is widely available, and is legally regulated in the UK with respect to the age of consumer, place of sale, and consumption in relation to operating machinery including transport vehicles.

1.2. Alcohol consumption impairs cognitive and motor function, and if consumed regularly beyond moderate amounts can seriously impair the physical and mental health of users, as well as their functional competence.

1.3. Alcohol dependence can seriously impair the social, psychological and physical health of those affected, and can also indirectly impact on others.

Recreational drugs

1.4. Recreational drugs are widely available, and are legally regulated in the UK with respect to possession, sale and consumption. Legal regulation includes consumption in relation to the operation of machinery including transport vehicles.

1.5. Recreational drug consumption changes and impairs cognitive and motor function, and consumed beyond moderate amounts can seriously impair the physical and mental health of users, and impair their cognitive, affective and physical performance and judgement.

1.6. Recreational drug dependence can seriously impair the social, psychological and physical health of people affected.

Cognitive enhancing substances (’Study drugs’)

1.7. The term ‘Study drugs’ is used in this policy to describe the use of substances or non-prescribed prescription medications that are used for cognitive enhancement and endurance. Many of these drugs are stimulants used to treat conditions such Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or medications to treat conditions such as narcolepsy and other sleep disorders.

2. Overall aims of St George’s

2.1. To promote a higher educational community which adheres to current legal guidance regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol, and control of illegal recreational drugs.

2.2. To provide a learning and social community where all students are informed about the impact of alcohol and recreational drug usage, and so are enabled to make choices regarding alcohol and recreational drug consumption which promotes student health and wellbeing; and which are compatible with a career in science or healthcare, being aware of and taking account of the regulatory framework of health care and science professions.

3. Specific aims of St George’s

Student Welfare

3.1. To provide students with the information and opportunities to understand the influence of lifestyle behavioural choices on health and wellbeing.

3.2. To provide students with information about positive behavioural responses to stressors, which promote rather than detract from, health and wellbeing.

3.3. To provide all students with information about the health consequences of alcohol and recreational drug consumption.

3.4. To provide all students with information about the impact of alcohol and recreational drug consumption on human cognitive and physical performance, and mental health.

3.5. To encourage all students to register with a local NHS general practitioner, from induction onwards, so that they can access NHS health services, including drug and alcohol services.

3.6. To provide all students with information about University, health and other support services for problematic alcohol use or recreational drug use.

3.7. To provide confidential general support services for students with problematic alcohol use or recreational drug use.

3.8. To adhere to legal responsibilities under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

3.9. To adhere to legal responsibilities to employees under the Health and Safety Act 1974

3.10. To provide all students with information about the legal framework with respect to recreational drug ownership, supply and recreational drug and alcohol consumption.

Legal Framework

3.11. The University has a legal obligation under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees.

3.12. The University also has an obligation under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to notify the police if it finds the possession or supply of controlled drugs or illegal substances on its premises.

3.13. The University considers illegal acts relating to controlled drugs (such as possession for their personal use, their sale or supply to others) at the University may constitute gross misconduct. Such acts may therefore constitute grounds for immediate termination of studies, after the appropriate disciplinary policy has been followed.

Interface with Professional Regulatory Bodies

3.14. To adhere to guidance provided by Healthcare regulatory bodies for the management (regarding assessment, management and registration) of healthcare students who have problematic alcohol consumption or consume illegal recreational drugs or cognitive enhancers.

3.15. To provide all students with information about the regulatory requirements of health care professional bodies, with respect to alcohol, cognitive enhancers, and recreational drug consumption by health professionals.

4. Delivering the Strategy: Operational policy

Student welfare

Education and information for students

4.1. The University will provide information about the impact of recreational drugs and alcohol through informational resources available to all, and through Course Curricula, where appropriate.

The strategic aims will be achieved by:

4.2. Providing digital, paper information about how to promote health and wellbeing to all students at induction and throughout their registration at St George’s.

4.3. Providing teaching and resources for learning how to develop the personal organisational and academic skills needed for academic success and to minimise the stress engendered by the transition to successful adult learning in a higher education environment.

4.4. Providing resources for induction, and thereafter, to familiarise students with NHS health care services and how to access them; for example registering with a GP, demonstrating access to NHS talking therapies, and access to out of hours and emergency health care.

4.5. Providing information for students about University, Student’s Union and community opportunities to undertake activities which promote health and wellbeing: these include opportunities for physical activity; relaxation and mindfulness; sports and recreation; charitable activity and faith based resources.

4.6. Providing information on the legal framework surrounding the possession, sale or resale of classified drugs.

4.7. Providing information on the consequences of a conviction for possession, sale or resale of classified drug on healthcare professional registration.

4.8. Providing information for students on the impact of alcohol and recreational drugs on health and wellbeing, as part of the welfare support services, and within relevant Curricula.

4.9. Providing information for students on the regulatory framework of healthcare professional bodies with respect to alcohol and recreational drug use by registered practitioners.

4.10. Providing information for students on the regulatory frameworks commonly used by employers with respect to alcohol and recreational drug use and the assessment and monitoring processes relating to it.

4.11. Providing information for students about NHS, University and other support services for students with problematic alcohol use and recreational drug use.

4.12. Training all staff who have pastoral responsibilities for students about the potential role of problematic alcohol or recreational drug use on student academic, social or health difficulties, and of support resources for such students.

Student services

4.13. Staff with front line contact with students will be trained to signpost students to appropriate support students, including those with problematic recreational or alcohol use to NHS, University or other support services.

4.14. The University will provide general academic and pastoral support services for students who recognise they have problematic use of recreational drugs and alcohol; or for students in whom it becomes apparent that other difficulties evident in the University setting, are contributed to by problematic alcohol use or recreational drug use.

4.15. The University will provide an Occupational Health service, which offers confidential support to students who request help and advice with respect to alcohol or recreational drug use. The occupational health service will not disclose information to the University without explicit permission from the student concerned. Students can ‘self-refer’ to the OH service. In line with professional regulatory body guidance, where the outcome of the health assessment is that the student is unfit for studies and/or clinical placement, the University will be informed that the student is unfit for studies. However, the student will be provided with support to access appropriate health care and establish an effective monitoring system to ensure compliance to facilitate a return to study. The University will support a student who accepts and complies with professional advice on health care and effective monitoring in supporting a return to study, following relevant university procedures.

4.16. The University will provide a confidential counselling service which offers cognitive and other forms of counselling for students in distress, including those who have problematic alcohol or recreational drug use. The counselling service will aim to help such students develop insight into their personal motivations for problematic alcohol or recreational drug use, and promote healthy behaviours for wellbeing. Students in need of specialist drug or alcohol services, or specialist psychological therapies, will be signposted to NHS services.

University Legal Responsibilities

4.17. The University has a legal obligation under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees.

4.18. The University also has an obligation under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to notify the police if it finds the possession or supply of controlled drugs or illegal substances on its premises.

4.19. The University considers illegal acts relating to controlled drugs (such as possession for their personal use, their sale or supply to others) at the University may constitute gross misconduct. Such acts may therefore constitute grounds for immediate termination of studies, after the appropriate disciplinary policy has been followed.

University interface with Healthcare Professional Regulatory Bodies

4.20. Student welfare will always be the top concern for staff at St George’s.

4.21. Students who are on vocational healthcare courses regulated by Professional Regulatory Bodies have access to informational resources from those Bodies, and will be taught within Course Curricula about the individual expectations of health care practitioners regarding recreational drug and alcohol use.

4.22. Students who are on vocational health care courses and who have problematic alcohol use, or recreational drug usage, will be offered supportive general welfare services as above.

4.23. The University also has a responsibility to assess and manage risks to patients, peers and others in the educational community, from students who have exhibited problematic alcohol use or illegal recreational drug consumption or distribution.

The University may invoke student disciplinary processes, including suspension, if University regulations or policies are breached by a student.

4.24. The University considers illegal acts relating to controlled drugs (such as possession for their personal use, their sale or supply to others) at the University may constitute misconduct. Any reports of misconduct defined by the General Regulations for Students and Programmes of Study (Paragraph 20.3) will be dealt with under either the Student Disciplinary Procedure or the Procedure for consideration of fitness to Study or Practise.

4.25. Students who are known by the University to have problematic alcohol usage or recreational drug usage, will have their alcohol consumption, abstinence from illegal substances, and health, regularly reviewed by the University, with the student’s permission, as part of the University responsibility to the relevant Professional Regulatory Body. The monitoring of compliance will usually involve attending Occupational Health appointments at recommended intervals, having appropriate biological monitoring including urine, blood and hair tests as needed carried out under ‘chain of custody’ at the discretion of Occupational Health Professional and University. Compliance with such monitoring, including permission to release relevant health assessments to the University, will be a condition of being allowed to study, attend placements, and/or continued registration for students on healthcare professional courses.

5. Responsibility of St George’s Students in relation to alcohol, recreational drugs and use of cognitive enhancing drugs

5.1. Students must not consume alcohol or drugs before or during attending classes or placements and must not bring illegal drugs or controlled substances onto University premises, including Halls of Residence and the Students’ Union.

5.2. Students should be aware that the possession of some non-prescribed ‘study’ drugs are a criminal offence. Some cognitive enhancers are illegal to possess without a prescription, and most are illegal to supply or give away. Students should treat the possession and use of ‘study’ drugs with the same caution recommended for controlled drugs and illegal psychoactive substances.

5.3. Instances where students are found to be distributing, in possession of or using controlled substances or illegal drugs on University premises will be referred to the relevant disciplinary procedure, the outcome of which may be dismissal or withdrawal from studies. Police will also be notified where appropriate.

5.4. A student resident in St George’s Halls of Residence found in possession of drugs is liable to be excluded from Halls and for the Police to be notified.

5.5. A student found distributing or in possession of or using controlled substances or illegal drugs on the Students’ Union premises will be reported to the University at the Student Unions’ discretion, in line with the Student Unions’ policy on drugs and alcohol.

5.6. Students considered incapable of conducting their studies or duties safely and competently due to alleged alcohol or drug consumption be required to leave the educational environment, and the course supervisor, Academic Registrar and Security will be consulted as necessary. A referral to Occupational Health for assessment for alcohol and substance related problems will be formally requested and the student will be required to attend on the same day or at the earliest appointment arranged by the University.

5.7. Where the University is aware that a student has problematic alcohol use; or recreational drug usage; the student will be referred for welfare services to their GP, secondary care health services, and/or University support services (counselling and Occupational Health) which are confidential.

5.8. For students who have problematic drug or alcohol use on vocational health care courses, the University will also request that the student gives permission for health reports to cover fitness for studies, compliance with monitoring and treatment and recommendations on restrictions, adjustments and support to be disclosed to the University, in accordance with the requirements of the relevant Healthcare Regulatory body, to ensure that students are or become fit to train and work in the healthcare profession concerned.