Drugs

Recreational drugs, whilst many are illegal, are common at university. The NUS commissioned a survey of students that discovered that around 56% of students surveyed have at one point taken a drug. A large reason people end up having problems with drugs, and not seeking help is fear of an approach that does not seek harm reduction. By reducing the stigma around drug usage, we can make sure that if people are to take any recreational substances, they are doing so safely, aware of the risks and are able to access help if they become addicted. Some people do drugs for fun, some people do it to escape and self-medicate. If you are struggling with anything, it is always worth speaking to someone first.

It is important to note that it is against the University’s Conduct Policy to take drugs, so it is worth being aware of the risks to your academics that this may have. However, the University seek to take a wellbeing approach for personal drug usage, to ensure that you are okay and to not punish someone. That being said, if you are found with drugs with the intended use being selling or distributing, or you have been violent in your behaviour, they may also look at Student Conduct proceedings.

Drug harm reduction is the practice of ensuring people are equipped with enough knowledge and understanding of drugs, to make sure that if you are to take drugs, you are doing so safely and aware of the risks this may entail. Whilst drugs are illegal, it is impossible to stop everyone from taking them, so it is better to make sure that overdoses, mental health issues and addiction are part of the education on drugs.

Addiction

• Whilst alcohol addiction is often more talked about in regard to addiction at university, reliance on different recreational drugs is common
• Whether it is Class A drugs, or study drugs, it’s important to know what to do if you think you have a problem, or if people around you are worried
  • Drugs also come with slang names and different terms
  • A very good resource on the different drugs and their slang in the UK: https://www.talktofrank.com/drugs-a-z
• Unlike alcohol, drugs are illegal, so addiction to them can come with a stigma, or a lack of willingness to seek help in fear of legal action
• Medical professionals will not report you if you are addicted or have had a problem with drugs: https://www.talktofrank.com/get-help/concerned-about-a-friend#my-friend-told-me-something-in-private-what-should-i-do
  • If you, or someone you know, is having problems with drugs and addiction, there are many steps you can take
• Unfortunately, there are no local services in St Andrews, however in Leven and Kirkcaldy there are many more:
  • https://www.scottishdrugservices.com/Home/Details/27
  • https://www.scottishdrugservices.com/Home/Details/46
  • https://www.scottishdrugservices.com/Home/Details/13
  • https://www.scottishdrugservices.com/Home/Details/71

Safe drug consumption

• If you are taking any drugs that require needles, there are safe needle exchange services that ensure you are not risk of being infected through unsafe and unclean needles. These are available at Boots on Market Street
• Testing of drugs
  • Lots of collectives and societies do this for party events
    • Reach out to organisers for these
  • Very important with the rise of synthetic drugs, and especially with those making their way to the UK
  • Reagent test kits can make sure that anything such as MDMA and Cocaine contains no additives that could harm or kill you
• Ensuring you are not taking too much
  • Never take more than you have taken before
  • Don’t take drugs if you are being pressured into taking them
  • Resource available here on what you need to know, from overdosing, to mixing drugs: https://www.crew.scot/drugs-information/what-you-need-to-know/
• It’s also important to know the signs of an overdose
  • Overdoses can kill
    • To be able to spot an overdose, can and will save lives
    • Overdoses can take different forms but are spottable through these symptoms:
      • anxious
      • tense
      • panicky
      • overheated and dehydrated
      • drowsy
      • having difficulty with breathing
  • It is always a good idea to have some of whatever drug has been taken left over, so that when ambulance crews arrive, they can take it and test it to know the best way to help
  • Naloxone is a lifesaving drug to help people overdosing on opioids. It contains adrenaline and keeps someone having an overdose alive until seen by medical professionals
    • Advice on Naloxone is available here: https://naloxone.org.uk/how-to/
• Talk to Frank has lots of resources on what to do in an emergency that is judgement-free: https://www.talktofrank.com/get-help/what-to-do-in-an-emergency