Drug and Alcohol Impact is an accreditation programme run by Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK) which aims to create a social norm of responsible alcohol consumption by students. It refocuses the conversation on drugs towards reducing harm and building healthier, safer, more productive student communities. 

The University is clear that the use of drugs is illegal. It also emphasises that with an increasing decline in young people’s mental health, coupled with well-evidenced links between mental health and substance use, the historical zero-tolerance approach to drug and alcohol use has been found to prohibit discussions and education that would support students.  

The Taking the Hit survey highlighted that 65% of students did not know about their university’s drug policy, suggesting that a zero-tolerance policy was an ineffective deterrent. 

Queen’s Students’ Union President Kieran Minto said: “A drug and alcohol harm reduction approach is in the best interests of our students, ensuring they are informed, educated and supported by their University and Students’ Union. 

"As we come up to Fresher’s and welcome new people to the University; I am really proud that we are taking part in this programme that will improve the University’s response when it comes to alcohol and drug use. We hope it will allow people to have fun and be responsible while also helping to reduce the possible health, social and legal impacts of substance use and encourage more of our students to access support when they need it.” 

In moving towards gaining accreditation, Queen’s University and Students’ Union will introduce a range of initiatives to reduce harm, including renewed emphasis on support for students, drop-in sessions, providing students with advice around the mixing of substances and the associated risks that this poses, developing harm reduction policies, and increasing non-alcohol-focussed events and social spaces, such as the new ‘Reboot’ gaming facility. 

 Several UK universities have already taken part in the programme, and Queen’s is leading the way across the island of Ireland as the first higher education institution in the region to take part in the SOS-UK harm-reduction programme. 

Students from universities who took part in SOS-UK’s Drug and Alcohol Impact Programme pilot were surveyed and it was found that they were significantly more aware of their universities’ drug policy than the national average. 

Caroline Young, Vice-President (Students and Corporate Services) at Queen’s, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our students is our primary focus, and we know that drug and alcohol use can impact their health, mental wellbeing, education, future careers, and the wider community.  

“As a civic university, we want to provide a safe space where our students are open to discuss and fully understand the effects of drugs and alcohol, moving away from it being a taboo subject with a zero-tolerance approach. 

“We want to ensure policies are in place to support and educate our students, and that our students have the information they need to allow them to make educated decisions about their own health." 

The programme relies on partnership working, with the Students’ Union and those across the university working collaboratively to generate whole campus shifts in alcohol and drug cultures. 

Queen’s participation in the programme follows a report launched by Universities UK which focuses on tackling supply and demand for drugs and improving harm reduction. The report advises that higher education providers have a responsibility to help students understand and navigate the risks of using drugs and encourages universities to consider adopting the SOS-UK Drug and Alcohol Impact Programme.  

Media

Media enquiries to Queen’s Communications Office on comms.office@qub.ac.uk