The University of Manchester is one of two pilot universities for ‘The Staying Safe Programme’ (TSSP), a new drug education initiative that aims to educate students about drug use and minimise associated harms. The programme is part of a move away from a zero-tolerance approach to student drug use in favour of harm reduction policies and procedures. Regardless of whether they use drugs or alcohol, the university encourages all students to take the course.

The harm reduction approach recognises that young people may take controlled drugs and aims to help them reduce the harms associated with their use. In contrast, the zero tolerance approach can cause stigma and act as a barrier to accessing support. The University of Manchester’s approach is based on principles of harm reduction, which aim to ensure that students who choose to engage in drug use are aware of the dangers, have the knowledge to make informed choices, and feel confident in accessing support within being penalised.

The Department for Criminology at the University of Manchester is evaluating TSSP to determine its effectiveness and the potential for providing short- and long-term benefits to students. The University hopes TSSP will be successful and can be implemented in universities across the UK.

The University of Manchester’s move towards harm reduction policies preceded  the call by Universities UK (UUK) for universities to adopt harm reduction policies and practices. By providing students with education and support, the university can help minimize the harms associated with drug use and reduce the stigma that can prevent students from seeking help. These developments put the University of Manchester at the forefront of adopting harm reduction policies and practises, which have been praised by Dame Carol Black, who was commissioned by the Home Office and DHSC to undertake an independent review of drugs in 2019.