January 2023
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference examined the latest issues and priorities for tackling drug use in higher education.
It was timed to follow the release of the first phase report from the Universities UK taskforce, led by Professor Nic Beech, a keynote speaker at this conference. It was a timely opportunity to discuss the report’s findings, key issues and suggested next steps.
Delegates assessed the latest research on the trends and characteristics of drug use in higher education, along with the role of drugs within student life, and the drivers of supply and demand. There was also discussion on the priorities for further research and the ways in which HEIs can gain a better understanding of their own drugs landscape.
Areas for discussion included:
- the drugs landscape in UK universities: supply and demand - student culture and pressures - vulnerable groups - local issues and patterns
- drug policies and harm reduction strategies: whole university approaches - co-production - implementation - disciplinary procedures - building trust - support services - accommodation policies
- universities in the context of UK-wide drug use: impact on students - the role of HEIs - priorities for research - developing a system for prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery
- creating local and regional partnerships to tackle drug harms: supply disruption - developing multi-agency working and coordinated approaches
We were pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor, Middlesex University London; and Chair, Drug-Use Taskforce, Universities UK; Professor Dame Carol Black, Lead, Independent Review of Drugs (2019-2021); and John de Pury, Assistant Director of Policy, Universities UK.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DLUHC; DHSC; NAO; and The Scottish Government.
