Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester Metropolitan Students’ Union achieve Drug and Alcohol Impact accreditation

We’re pleased to announce that Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester Metropolitan Students’ Union have successfully achieved the SOS-UK Drug and Alcohol accreditation following a two-day audit.

This accreditation reflects the partnership’s dedication to promoting a social norm of responsible alcohol consumption, while shifting the narrative on drug use from a zero-tolerance stance to a harm reduction approach. With the recent guidance from Universities UK calling for a sector-wide harm reduction approach to student drug use, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester Metropolitan Students’ Union have successfully implemented these recommendations, demonstrating the positive changes that have followed.

The recent audit highlighted several key successes:

· Engaging students in conversations on drugs and alcohol: The partnership has successfully engaged with students in their drug and alcohol work, with over 600 students participating in the Drink Rethink programme, and 200 society and sports committee members trained. Additionally, they saw a significant rise in engagement with the Student, Drugs and Alcohol Survey this year.

· Students as active participants in drug and alcohol work: Auditors were particularly impressed by how students were not just recipients of information but active contributors to drug and alcohol research and interventions. From research placements to hands-on involvement in the Drug and Alcohol Impact programme, students are helping shape meaningful, evidence-based approaches to their work.

·Strengthening ties to the wider local community: The partnership has built successful relationships with a range of different stakeholders across the Greater Manchester area, and this has provided the groundwork for future work focusing on ensuring student safety across the city.

 · Engaging academics in Drug and Alcohol Impact: The partnership has developed an impactful working relationship with existing academic projects on campus including MANDRAKE and GM Trends, allowing them to access expert opinions and support while providing students with up-to-date information on how to reduce drug-related harms.

SOS-UK trained Manchester Metropolitan University student volunteers to audit their institution.

One student auditor said: “The partnership’s work has been instrumental in fostering a more responsible and informed student culture around alcohol and drug use. Their initiatives, from policy changes to student-led advocacy, have created a safer and more supportive environment at Manchester Metropolitan University.”

Those leading the project highlighted its successes and the lessons learned along the way:

“Working in partnership with our Student Union on the SOS-UK Drug and Alcohol Impact Accreditation has been a rewarding collaboration, and one that has put students at the centre of every decision and activity we have delivered during this time. Since publishing our harm reduction commitment statement in 2023, staff and students from across the University and Students’ Union have worked together to deliver on this commitment and I am delighted that this hard work and the passion of all those involved was recognised by the team of student auditors and SOS-UK staff. We look forward to continuing to drive this agenda forward at Manchester Met, but also in contributing to the wider sector focus on harm reduction and student wellbeing.” (Dr Emma Young, Deputy Director, Student Services)

“Hereat the Students’ Union, we are delighted to have received the Drug and Alcohol Impact accreditation from SOS-UK; a piece of collaborative work that we are immensely proud of. The project has enabled us to embed harm reduction principles into our training for student volunteers, our planning for events and activities and our approach to student support. Through partnership working with the University, we are already seeing the impact of this work in the number of non-alcohol events and activities delivered by our student societies, and our own understanding of our students’ substance use habits and attitudes.”(RhiannonRoberts, CEO, Students’ Union) 

“I am so proud of the work we have done this year, working with our students to talk more openly about the impact of drug and alcohol use, and driving initiatives like our new ‘public living room’ which is designed specifically to be an alcohol-free space for student socialising.” (Leila Enoki, Students’Union President)

Congratulations to all those involved in the Drug and Alcohol Impact Programme, a great achievement!

‍