Cardiff Metropolitan University and its Student Union aim to ‘show students that there\u2019s help there for you’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CARDIFF Metropolitan University and its Student Union have launched a new joint initiative to help students struggling with the misuse of drugs and alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new scheme considers how drug and alcohol misuse has been “historically stigmatised”, according to Will Fuller, the CEO of the SU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students in the past have been \u201cfearful of reaching out\u201d with their drug issues, under the impression that they would \u201cfind themselves [being kicked] off campus\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the new scheme seeks to discourage harmful drug usage, increase education on how misuse can harm you, bring attention to support that is available, and “protect the learning community from harm and risks associated with the misuse of substances”, according to a policy document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though the university and SU have \u201cstruggled to get [lots of] hard data\u201d on misuse, they \u201cobserved partial increases\u201d in student self-referrals, according to Mr Fuller, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new harm reduction approach is \u201cconsidering that drugs and alcohol are harmful,\u201d but not being \u201chardline\u201d and punishing students immediately, especially as \u201csome students might be being exploited or coerced\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal for the Met and the SU is to spread awareness to \u201cat least 70% of students\u201d. They also plan to \u201cput specific training for the wardens\u2019 team, ambassadors and domestic and cleaning staff\u201d, according to Mr Fuller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The university have also had the Cardiff and Vale Drug and Alcohol Service (CAVDAS) on campus for community days, expressly to increase awareness of support for students struggling with drug and alcohol misuse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This new campaign comes alongside the university signing up for the Students for Organising UK (SOS UK) student audit for their ‘Alcohol, Drugs and Student Wellbeing’ in June 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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