Student Substance Use Harm Reduction Commitment

Our harm reduction commitment

We recognise that some people may choose to use drugs and other substances during their time at university. While we do not condone drug or other substance use, we and our Students’ Union are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all members of our community on or off campus.

We take the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff extremely seriously. We have adopted a harm reduction approach to educate students about the risks of drug and alcohol use. This approach encourages safe and confidential disclosure of concerns around substance use when seeking support. It also provides open and direct information to reduce the harmful risks of such use.

By providing this support and education, we emphasise making positive life choices and informed decisions. This commitment is underpinned by a framework for acceptable and responsible behaviour in both the university campus and the wider community. It also sets out the action that may be taken in the event of a breach of such behaviour.

The purpose of our harm reduction approach

The purpose of this approach is to:

  • highlight the information and support that is available to students who are affected by substance use
  • encourage students to seek support relating to their own or others’ substance use
  • educate students on the effects and adverse consequences of substance use
  • discourage the use of harmful or illegal substances
  • provide a clear expectation of responsible behaviour to protect the Manchester Metropolitan University community, our neighbours and members of our wider city community from harm and risks associated with student use of substances

The scope of our commitment

This commitment applies to all Manchester Met students who are eligible for support through Manchester Met services and who are subject to our Student Code of Conduct.

Our commitment and expectations

We are committed to our students’ wellbeing and to ensuring that a network of support and education is available around substance use. 

We aim to educate students on the potential harms and risks that may come from substance use, including:

  • physical
  • mental
  • social
  • legal

We will provide guidance and support to any student who discloses such matters and act accordingly in line with relevant professional and statutory parameters.

Our expectations of students

We expect our students to:

  • Be aware of our approach and policies supporting our commitment to harm reduction
  • Use the educational resources provided by us and other agencies about substances to make informed decisions and healthy life choices
  • Use the network of support provided by us or other agencies for their own benefit, as well as the benefit of others
  • Reach out for support if they are worried about their own, or others’ substance use
  • Be alert of their own, and others’ behaviour to ensure safety and wellbeing
  • Contact an appropriate staff member if they have health and safety or legal concerns
  • Not to share prescription medication with others

The University’s commitment

We commit to:

  • Provide educational materials to increase awareness and support students in making healthy life choices
  • Take a preventative and early intervention approach to providing support to students surrounding substance use
  • Collaborate with external agencies to refer/signpost into specialist support to maintain student wellbeing
  • Provide training for staff to support students in a non-judgemental, informed way and hold supportive harm reduction conversations
  • Educate students on what it means to be a member of the Manchester Met community and how to behave responsibly and respectfully towards our neighbours both on and off campus

Our tiered approach to harm reduction

  • Tier 1: Preventative approach

    Our preventative approach includes:

    • delivery of regular communication campaigns to support understanding of the potential harms and risks associated with substance use
    • providing current information, advice and guidance on dedicated online platforms and actively promoting these across our community
    • working in collaboration with the Student’s Union to ensure the students’ voice is at the centre of harm reduction messaging
    • working in partnership with halls of residence and third-party specialist services

  • Tier 2: Early intervention and support

    Early intervention and support involves:

    • training key frontline student and campus services staff and working collaboratively to support students
    • ensuring that a range of staff members can respond to an initial disclosure and contribute to harm-reduction strategies
    • collaboration with partners to deliver more targeted messages and events with a focused purpose
    • actively referring and signposting to appropriate services and working to reduce risk factors

  • Tier 3: Specialist services

    Specialist support is available to students from:

    • the University’s Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, which can provide support to those who may be most at risk of harm or in need of more specialist intervention. This may include the need to temporarily take a break from studies due to inpatient treatment or to support recovery.
    • partnerships with external providers with whom we actively refer students to the most appropriate pathways. This may include the Change Grow Live Adult and Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service.                                                                                  

Student conduct

We do not condone the possession or use of illegal drugs in, or on, any premises under our control. 

Substance use can have a serious and lasting effect on users themselves and on other members of our community, who may be affected by the behaviour and actions of users.

If a student’s behaviour, as a result of their use of substances, causes harm to the health, safety and wellbeing of others, they may be subject to one of the following:

The student will continue to be provided with appropriate support and assistance from us for the duration of their enrolment.

Professional and Statutory Regulated Bodies (PSRBs)

Some courses require a statement by the University to the appropriate PSRB. This is to confirm that the graduating student is fit and safe to practise in their chosen profession. 

Some students may be concerned that any difficulties they may have with substance use might be reported to the relevant PSRB. As a result, they may not reach out to seek the support and help they need to reduce harm to themselves and others. Our primary aim is to ensure that the student is safe and well. 

All cases where a student is registered with a PSRB will be considered individually. We will consider the specific circumstances that the student faces and the regulations of the course that they are studying. 

We will seek to support the student at all times to ensure that they are safe, well and fit to practise. Any concerns that we may have will be considered under the University’s Fitness to Practise procedure.  

Related policies and procedures

How we can help

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