Students set to get testing kits for drugs

STUDENTS at the University of Warwick will soon be able to test how safe their drugs are before going on a night out.

The university’s student union is working on a new drugs policy which will make drug testing kits available to students.

The tests allow students to identify any harmful adulterants in the drugs and make an informed decision on what they are taking.

Surveys show that a large proportion of university students take illegal substances and an increasing number of student unions are now looking into drug testing as an alternative to zero tolerance policies.

A number of student unions across the UK including in Newcastle, Manchester, Sussex, Portsmouth and Aberdeen already offer similar kits to students.

Over two thirds admit to drug use at Warwicka new drug policy for the University of Warwick students’ union was put forward as part of an student vote - and passed at the end of 2017.

Part of the new policy included the introduction of drug testing kits.

A spokesperson for Warwick Students’ Union confirmed that it was currently “in the process of scoping our offer with regards to a broader alcohol and other drugs strategy alongside the University” before kits would be made available.

The union’s notes on the new policy state that 72 per cent of Warwick students admitted to taking drugs, according to one survey.

It also talks about media reports of young people dying after taking drugs which they believe to be MDMA but are actually the toxic substance PMA.

The policy goes on to say: “Taking illegal substances should not be condoned.

“However it must be recognised that some students do and will continue to take drugs throughout their time at university.

“Those who do use illegal substances must be able to make an informed decision about their choice to take drugs.”

The students union at Newcastle University was believed to be the first in the UK to introduce the kits in May 2016.

According to Chronicle Live, the single-use testing kits work on chemical reactions with different substances turning different colours.

It means that students can identify what the substance contains and are warned of the presence of any potentially fatal contaminations.

The University of Manchester Students’ Union also started a pilot scheme earlier this year offering drug testing kits to students.

The Substance Advice section of its website has information on how to use the kits.

It says: “A key risk of taking unregulated drugs is that the substance you intend to take could be mixed with other drugs or harmful adulterants. One way to reduce this risk is to test your drugs.

“We are currently piloting single-use test kits, which work by adding a small amount of your drug to a chemical which will change colour depending on the substances it contains.”

The tests are intended to give an indication of the presence of substances - but not how much it contains or the purity.

Students are able to get their hands on the kits from the Students’ Union Advice Service for a suggested donation of £2.50.

The service is completely confidential and is independent from the university.