Alcohol Misuse Policy: Promoting Health, Safety and Wellbeing in Higher Education, Slides of Business

Download Alcohol Misuse Policy: Promoting Health, Safety and Wellbeing in Higher Education and more Slides Business in PDF only on Docsity! Swansea University Prifysgol Abertawe Alcohol Policy Swansea University and Students’ Union  Alcohol Policy for Swansea University and Students’ Union Table of Contents Page Alcohol Policy Statement 2 Alcohol Policy 3 1. Introduction 2. Who is covered by the policy? 3. Aims of the policy 4. What do we mean by misuse? 5. The legal position 6. Pricing and Promotions 7. Code of conduct 8. Confidentiality and data protection 9. Our Commitment Appendix A Guidance 10 Appendix B Recommended actions 12 4 their course and in their accommodation. It can also have consequences for future career choices. The University has a legal duty of care to its students, staff and visitors and aims to provide a safe, healthy and high quality study and work environment. This includes addressing the risks posed by alcohol misuse, informing students of their responsibilities and codes of conduct and providing information, advice, guidance and support on request. All students have a legal responsibility to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others. In certain situations individuals may be subject to disciplinary action under the University’s disciplinary procedures, be asked to leave and/or be reported to the police. The University does not wish to criminalise its students or visitors, but it has a legitimate interest in protecting the University community and its own reputation from the potential consequences of alcohol misuse. 2. Who is covered by the policy? The policy applies to students in circumstances where there is a risk to themselves or others, or where their conduct or quality of work affects others or the reputation of the University (such as students on university- organised work placements, working in laboratories on research projects or as members of university sports teams). It applies whether students are on university premises or elsewhere on university business or study activities, including premises managed on behalf of the University by a third party, such as privately managed halls of residences or SAS properties off campus. The policy also applies to Students’ Unions, independent bodies which conduct and manage their own affairs in accordance with their constitutions. 3. Aims of the policy The purpose of the policy is to: Promote health, safety and wellbeing through the provision of information, advice, guidance and support Inform students about the potential consequences of alcohol misuse Provide information on support options where appropriate Encourage individuals with alcohol-related issues to seek help Signpost information to students and staff regarding students’ responsibilities and the required code of conduct 5 Inform students how alcohol misuse and its potential consequences may lead to disciplinary and/or legal action 4. What is meant by ‘misuse’? Alcohol misuse is defined as the habitual or intermittent use of alcohol which causes detriment to an individual’s health, social functioning or study/work performance. It can impair the safety of themselves or others and affect attendance, time keeping, efficiency and conduct. Dependency The problems associated with alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, are wide ranging and can be physical, psychological and social. For someone with a drink problem, drinking becomes a compulsion and takes precedence over all other activities. Someone with alcohol dependence: has a strong desire to drink alcohol has difficulty controlling their use of alcohol persistently uses alcohol despite being aware of the harmful effects shows increased tolerance for alcohol shows signs of withdrawal when without alcohol Binge drinking Binge drinking is defined as drinking eight or more units of alcohol in one session if you are a man, and more than six units in one session if you are a woman. Studies are starting to reveal that drinking a large amount of alcohol over a short period of time may be significantly worse for your health than frequently drinking small quantities. To reduce health risks from drinking, the Department of Health recommends that adult males should drink no more than three to four units of alcohol a day, and that adult females should drink no more than two to three units of alcohol a day. Measurements of alcohol for some other popular drinks are listed below. A standard glass of wine (175ml) at 12% abv is 2.1 units, and a large 250ml glass is 3 units. A measure (35ml) of spirit (40% abv) is 1.4 units. A bottle (275ml) of ordinary strength alcopops (5% abv) is 1.4 units. A shot (35ml) of spirits, typically between 35-40% abv, is 1.3 units. 6 A pint (568ml) of low strength (3.5-4% abv) beer, or lager, is 2.3 units. A standard measure of port, or sherry, (50ml) is 1 unit. The quantity of alcohol in a person's bloodstream (or blood alcohol content) is used to measure their level of intoxication (drunkenness). It is calculated in milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The UK BAC limit for legal driving is 80mg/100ml2. Pre-Loading Pre-loading is the practice of consuming alcohol at home before going out to bars and clubs. More than half of students who consume alcohol have been found to ‘pre-load’. When people pre-load they are generally four times more likely to consume over 20 units on a night out (including pre- loading and bar/club drinking). This level of consumption is strongly associated with increased health risks and also involvement in other behavioural issues such as nightlife violence and unsafe sexual behaviour. 5. The legal position Six actions, amongst others, are illegal: (a) selling alcoholic drinks without a meal where the licence is for drink accompanying meals; (b) serving alcoholic drink to a customer who is already drunk in the opinion of the person serving; (c) serving alcoholic drink to persons under the legal age of 18 years (with some exceptions relating to table meals); (d) allowing a drunken person to be on the premises without good reason (e.g. illness); (e) allowing gambling to take place, with minor exceptions; (f) allowing arguments or anti-social behaviour to take place. All licensees are required to attend a suitable training course. 2 http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk 9 Alcohol education and campaign work will form part of our commitment to student welfare and will be run regularly by the Students’ Union and/or Student Services to encourage moderate sensible drinking. We will work with local services in the community i.e. Police, residents associations etc, to build good relations and to raise awareness of the positive impacts of students in local communities and we will respond appropriately to any concerns or complaints relating to alcohol misuse i.e. noise disturbances. 10 Appendix A Guidance Students should: Be aware of this policy and supporting documents. Seek help voluntarily if they are concerned about their alcohol use. Within the university, help is available from personal tutors, Student Services, Welfare Wardens and the Students’ Union. For sources of help within the community please refer to our website: http://www.healthycitydirectory.co.uk/or contact the sources stated above. Seek help or advice if they have been asked to do so, including as part of a disciplinary sanction. Encourage other students to seek help if they have a problem. Access information about the potential impacts on alcohol misuse on finances, health and other people. This is available through Student Services and the Students’ Union. Alert an appropriate member of staff to any problems they see developing within the institution, particularly where legal or health and safety concerns are an issue Be aware of the behaviour of students around them and do their best to ensure their safety and well-being Staff should: Be aware of the policy, procedures, available services and referral procedures available for dealing with student alcohol-related issues. This information should be included in student induction. Encourage students to access appropriate support if there are concerns about their well-being in relation to alcohol. Contribute to the development and facilitation of awareness raising activities. Be mindful of the potential impacts of excessive alcohol when conducting risk assessments on proposed activities. Investigate accidents and incidents for signs of alcohol misuse and liaise with the relevant departments. Ensure there is no misuse of/pressure to misuse alcohol during university social functions. Non-alcoholic drinks must be available at these occasions. Students’ Union should: Offer information and advice about services available to students who have concerns about their alcohol use. Encourage and promote a sensible approach to alcohol use. Provide and support educational events, awareness campaigns and activities that promote health and well-being in cooperation with other departments. Ensure that student related policies reflect attitudes to alcohol which are conducive to student well-being. Provide support for student societies or clubs entering into any sponsorship contracts with alcoholic venues to ensure they promote student wellbeing and discourage excessive drinking. Ensure that social events are not themed around excessive drinking and that publicity for these events is not themed exclusively around alcohol. Uphold the requirements of the licensing laws. 11 Student Support Services should: Act as a confidential self-referral facility for students. Provide information, advice, guidance and support to students presenting with alcohol related issues. Operate appropriate confidentiality and referral policies to ensure students receive the most appropriate support Develop and publish information for students on the potential impacts of alcohol misuse. Adhere to confidentiality guidelines and the Data Protection Act when a student presents for support for an alcohol related issue. Have in place systems of referral to community based alcohol support agencies Raise concerns to appropriate university personnel if a particular alcohol related welfare issue is presenting repeatedly for the service. Take all necessary steps to ensure that students with alcohol related issues do not present a risk to themselves or others Residential Services staff should: Be aware of alcohol-related support services within the institution and signpost accordingly. Liaise and communicate with other personnel within the institution in relation to alcohol related incidents eg Security; Student Support Services Monitor and record alcohol related incidents within the Residences and ensure these reports are available to relevant staff. Report and/or investigate any alcohol related incidents that contravene University regulations.