Uk Universities: Can They Drug Test Students?

Drug use among university students in the UK is a growing concern. While some universities are clamping down on drug use, others are adopting harm reduction techniques. Drug testing services, or drug checking or pill testing, allow students to know the contents of their purchase and how to reduce the risks of their drug use. Despite the benefits of such services, most UK universities are reluctant to implement them, citing concerns that they may encourage more students to use drugs. However, an increasing number of student unions are seeking to introduce drug-testing kits, with Manchester, Newcastle, and Sussex among those already offering them.

Student unions are offering drug-testing kits

Student unions are increasingly offering drug-testing kits to students, according to the National Union of Students (NUS). The NUS is considering sending the kits to unions in bulk to make them more accessible and affordable to meet the rising demand.

The NUS vice-president for welfare, Eva Crossan Jory, said:

> "More and more unions are asking about drug-testing kits. So we are trying to make the kits cheaper and more accessible. Student unions are taking it more seriously. And there are a lot more student unions that are looking at ways they can reduce harm and educate their students within the union."

Student unions that already offer similar kits include Manchester, Newcastle, Sussex, Portsmouth, and Aberdeen. The University of Warwick is also in the process of 'assessing the feasibility' of kits.

The single-use testing kits work on chemical reactions, with different substances turning different colours. This allows students to identify the contents of the substance and be warned of any potentially fatal contaminations.

The NUS survey revealed that more than half (56%) of students had tried drugs, and two in five said they currently use drugs. This has prompted more student unions to consider introducing the kits.

Arguments for drug-testing kits

Emily Voss-Bevan, Health and Society Officer at the University of Salford Students' Union, argues that the "Don't do it, kids..." approach does not work when it comes to drugs. She cites the example of music festivals, where despite bag searches, sniffer dogs, and campsite inspections, drug-related deaths and consumption of illegal drugs still occur.

Voss-Bevan also points out that student drug use is not a one-time thing but can be a tool to cope with the stresses of daily life. She believes that without drug-testing kits or other forms of intervention, students' safety is left solely in the hands of unscrupulous drug dealers.

Arguments against drug-testing kits

Famous Dekeri, Business and Law Officer at the University of Salford Students' Union, argues that while pill testing and information on drug use are well-meaning ideas, they are misguided. Dekeri points out the limitations of drug-testing kits, including their accuracy, ease of use, and inability to measure the concentration of chemicals or test for new 'designer drugs'.

Dekeri also questions the impact of drug-testing kits on behaviour, noting that even if students are warned about the dangers of drugs, there is no guarantee they will follow recommendations when it comes to highly addictive substances. Additionally, providing testing kits may inadvertently increase the likelihood of drug-taking on campus and make it more socially acceptable.

University responses

Some universities have stepped up their drug deterrent policies, such as the University of Buckingham, which requires students to sign a contract pledging not to take drugs on campus. However, other institutions, like Newcastle University, have shifted from zero-tolerance policies to harm reduction techniques, offering drug testing and medical amnesty.

While there are differing opinions on the effectiveness and impact of drug-testing kits, the NUS and several student unions recognize the need to reduce harm and educate students about drug use. The debate around drug-testing kits in student unions reflects a shift towards harm reduction strategies and a more realistic approach to drug use among students.

Drug-testing kits work on chemical reactions

Drug-testing kits work by exploiting chemical reactions to detect the presence of certain substances. The most common method is reagent testing, which involves taking a scraping from a pill and placing it in a reagent testing liquid or dropping the reagent onto the scraping. The liquid will change colour when reacting with different chemicals, indicating the presence of certain substances.

Reagent testing is limited in that it can only detect certain target chemicals, and when these substances are mis-sold, it is usually by substitution of a different substance in the same chemical family, rendering the test useless for consumers. However, reagent tests for chemical families also exist.

The Ehrlich reagent, for example, can only detect drugs with an indole moiety, but this is useful because drugs from the NBOMe class, which are often sold as LSD, do not have an indole. The Ehrlich reagent also has the additional benefit of not reacting with the paper on which LSD is often distributed.

Thin-layer chromatography is used with reagent testing to separate substances before testing and prevent the "masking" effect, where some substances that cause strong colour changes can mask the presence of other substances that cause weaker colour changes.

Other methods of drug testing include infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, ion mobility spectrometry, and mass spectrometry. These methods are more discriminatory and accurate than reagent testing but require more expensive equipment and higher technical knowledge to operate.

Universities are tackling student drug use

It is well-known that drug use is prevalent among university students, with surveys showing that more than half of students have tried drugs, and two in five saying they currently use drugs. With this in mind, universities are taking different approaches to tackle this issue.

Some universities are opting for a punitive approach, with strict policies and consequences for students who are caught using drugs. For example, the University of Buckingham has implemented a contract that students must sign, pledging to refrain from ingesting illegal substances, with failure to comply potentially resulting in expulsion.

However, this approach has been criticised by some, who argue that it may do more harm than good. Eva Crossan Jory, the National Union of Students (NUS) vice-president for welfare, believes that a punitive approach from universities can be harmful and may prevent students from seeking support.

Instead, some universities are focusing on harm reduction techniques. For instance, Newcastle University lifted its zero-tolerance ban on campus drugs in 2015 and replaced it with drug testing and medical amnesty. Similarly, the University of Birmingham offers a three-step awareness program covering alcohol, policy, and drug education, as well as free drug testing kits. The University of Manchester also offers a similar service, providing drug testing for a small fee.

Additionally, some student unions are taking the initiative to offer drug-testing kits to students, recognising the benefits of harm reduction. These include Manchester, Newcastle, Sussex, Portsmouth, and Aberdeen. The NUS is working to make these kits more accessible and cheaper for student unions, as they believe that harm reduction is a more effective approach to tackling student drug use.

While universities may differ in their strategies, the common goal is to protect the health and wellbeing of students and provide them with the necessary information and resources to make informed choices.

The University of Buckingham aims to be drug-free

Drug use among students is a growing concern for universities in the UK. While some universities are adopting harm reduction techniques, others are taking a stricter approach by implementing drug-testing policies and even pledging to create a drug-free campus. The University of Buckingham falls into the latter category, aiming to be drug-free by asking students to sign a contract refraining from illegal substances.

The Harm Reduction Approach

Many universities in the UK are recognising the benefits of harm reduction strategies when it comes to addressing student drug use. Drug-testing services, provided by organisations like The Loop, allow students to anonymously test their drugs and receive professional advice on reducing the risks associated with their drug use. Universities such as Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Manchester have taken steps towards improved harm reduction by providing drug-testing kits to students. These kits enable students to identify the contents of their substances and be warned of any potentially fatal contaminations.

The University of Buckingham's Drug-Free Pledge

In contrast to the harm reduction approach, the University of Buckingham is aiming to become the UK's first drug-free university. Sir Anthony Seldon, vice-chancellor of Buckingham University, has asked students to sign a contract pledging to refrain from ingesting illegal substances. He intends to start a "revolution" to make drug-taking "socially unacceptable" and prevent the tragic consequences that often arise from drug use. This approach, however, has faced criticism from some who argue that punitive measures may do more harm than good and that a drug-free university is an unrealistic goal.

The Impact of Drug Use on Student Wellbeing

Drug use among university students is a significant issue, with surveys indicating that a large proportion of students take illegal substances. An NUS study found that 56% of surveyed students had taken drugs, and a survey at the University of Warwick revealed that 72% of students admitted to drug use. This trend is facilitated by the ease of access to drugs, often through social media platforms, and the normalisation of drug experimentation as a part of student life. However, drug use can have detrimental effects on student wellbeing, with some turning to substances to deal with poor mental health and stress.

Balancing Harm Reduction and Drug-Free Goals

While the University of Buckingham's drug-free pledge aims to address the issue of drug use among students, it is important to consider the underlying reasons for substance use. As Rob Noon, LGBT+ officer at the National Union of Students, points out, heavy punishment and attempts to create a drug-free environment may exacerbate the issues of poor mental health and stress that contribute to drug use. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to student wellbeing should include both harm reduction strategies and measures to address the underlying causes of substance use.

Drug testing services reduce the risks of drug use

Drug testing services can reduce the risks of drug use by providing users with information about the contents of their drugs and expert advice on how to reduce harm. Drug testing services, also known as "drug checking" or "pill testing", allow people to anonymously test their drugs and receive a lab analysis by experts. This is followed by a consultation with healthcare staff, who can advise on ways to reduce the risks associated with drug use. Many people who use these services adjust their dosage or avoid taking the drug altogether based on the information received.

In the UK, an organisation called The Loop has been providing drug testing services at music festivals and in city centres since 2016. The Loop also partnered with Durham University in 2018 to provide drug testing, becoming the first UK university to support drug safety testing. A few other UK universities, including Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Manchester, have started providing drug testing kits directly to students. These kits enable students to test their drugs before consuming them, although they do not offer the same level of consultation as The Loop's approach.

Despite the potential benefits of drug testing services, most UK universities remain reluctant to adopt them. Some universities, like Coventry University, recognise the usefulness of drug testing kits in reducing harm but are hesitant to implement such services due to concerns that they might encourage more students to use drugs. However, this ignores the various reasons why students may turn to drugs, including self-medication and therapeutic purposes.

The National Union of Students (NUS) has revealed that more student unions are seeking to introduce drug-testing kits, and they are working on making the kits more accessible and affordable. NUS vice-president Eva Crossan Jory emphasised the shift towards harm reduction strategies, stating that "it is highly unlikely that punishing [students] heavily and attempting to create a 'drug-free university' [is] going to deal with these issues".

Overall, drug testing services can play a crucial role in reducing the risks associated with drug use by providing users with vital information and expert advice. While some UK universities have made strides in this direction, there is still reluctance among many institutions to adopt these services, highlighting the ongoing debate and complexity surrounding this issue.

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