Universities told to stop reporting students caught with drugs to police after hundreds referred to forces

'It’s clear that our educational institutions must engage in meaningful work to minimise any harms associated with both the criminalisation of students who use drugs and of drug use itself'

Some institutions have used drug swab testing and sniffer dogs, the report suggests (Reuters)

Universities and colleges were told to stop reporting students caught with drugs to the police after figures show hundreds of incidents were referred to forces last year.

A report from the National Union of Students (NUS) and drug information charity Release calls on institutions to take a less punitive approach when dealing with students in possession of illicit substances.

A quarter of all incidents of student misconduct for possession of drugs were reported to the police by universities and colleges during 2016-17, the data shows.

In total, there were 2,067 recorded incidents of student misconduct for possessing drugs across the UK – and 531 of these were reported to the forces.​ Meanwhile, 21 students were permanently excluded from university after being caught with drugs.

It says students “should not be reported to the police or permanently excluded” for possessing an illegal drug and instead they should be given support from universities and colleges.

The report argues that mental health is a key factor in drug use – and that certain groups, such as women, LGBT+ and disabled students were more likely to take drugs for these reasons.

Almost a third (31 per cent) of students who have taken drugs said they have done so to alleviate stress, according to a survey of around 2,800 people conducted by the NUS.

And yet, approximately two in five students said they would not feel confident in disclosing information about their drug use to their place of study without fear of punishment.

More than one in 10 (12 per cent) who have used drugs said they had been searched on campus by security or police – and in some cases, drug swab testing and sniffer dogs have been used, the report says.

“Such methods are incredibly invasive and intimidating, especially if a student is required to submit to a search,” it argues. “The presence of sniffer dogs could cause unnecessarily high levels of anxiety for already marginalised groups, such as some disabled students and Muslim students who may avoid contact with dogs on account of their faith.”

The report defines drugs as illegal substances, such as cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine, as well as non-prescribed drugs and so-called legal highs.

Zoe Carre, policy researcher at Release, said reporting students to the police, or permanently excluding them, for drug possession was “archaic and harmful”.

She said: “This type of approach prevents people from seeking support if they need it.”

Jess Bradley, trans officer at NUS, added: “The overwhelming narrative is one of students not getting the right support from educational institutions, and of being harmed by punitive drug policies where they are in place. National drug policy is frequently criticised for its moralistic approach which lacks a basis in evidence and focuses on punishment rather than support.

“It’s clear that our educational institutions must engage in meaningful work to minimise any harms associated with both the criminalisation of students who use drugs and of drug use itself.”

Professor Steve West, chair of Universities UK’s mental health in higher education working group and vice-chancellor of UWE Bristol, said: “We welcome this new survey from the NUS. It is important that students have access to support services that reflect their needs.

“Universities cannot address drug misuse alone and, working with the NUS, we need to establish closer working partnerships with schools, employers, the NHS and other statutory services to coordinate care for students.

“Mental health and wellbeing needs to become a core part of all universities’ activities; this should be part of their offer to all students and staff.”