The University wants students and staff who are concerned about alcohol or substance use to ask for help early. Seeking support will be approached sensitively and should not, by itself, be treated as misconduct or evidence that you are unfit to work, study or practise.
However, being supportive about substance use does not mean that there are no boundaries.
Drugs and substances on University premises
The University has responsibilities for the health, safety and welfare of students, staff, visitors and the wider University community.
Illegal or illicit drugs may also involve criminal offences relating to their possession, supply or production. University Security is responsible for responding to security incidents on University premises, including those involving exposure to illegal substances, and may liaise with the police where appropriate.
You should therefore never assume that seeking support means that conduct involving illegal drugs on University premises will be disregarded.
Where an incident occurs, the University's response will depend on the particular circumstances, including any immediate safety concerns, safeguarding needs, alleged conduct and applicable University procedures.
Alcohol, drugs and behaviour
Alcohol or drug use does not excuse behaviour that harms somebody else.
Being intoxicated does not remove your responsibility to:
- respect another person's boundaries;
- obtain consent to sexual activity;
- behave safely towards other people;
- comply with reasonable health and safety requirements; or
- meet relevant standards of conduct.
If somebody is unable to consent because of intoxication or another impairment, sexual activity must not take place.
At the same time, being intoxicated does not make somebody responsible for violence, abuse, exploitation or sexual misconduct committed against them.
If something has happened to you while you were drinking or using drugs, you can still ask the University for support.
Safety-Critical Activities
Alcohol or substance use becomes particularly important where impairment could place you or somebody else at risk.
This might include:
- driving;
- operating machinery or specialist equipment;
- laboratory activity;
- clinical activity;
- administering medication;
- working with children or adults at risk;
- undertaking placement activity;
- other safety-critical study or work.
If you believe you may be impaired, do not undertake an activity where doing so could put you or somebody else at risk.
Tell an appropriate person and seek advice.