Uniarts Helsinki’s substance abuse policy
The goal of the substance abuse policy is to promote the ability to study and to work, to promote the health and wellbeing of students, prevent substance abuse issues, make it easier to intervene in a student’s substance abuse problem and improve referral for treatment.
Preventive activities
The role of the university
Uniarts Helsinki and the academies promote a substance-free study environment and responsible use of alcohol.
The events that are organised at Uniarts Helsinki are usually alcohol-free.
The substance abuse contact person
Uniarts Helsinki’s senior head of academic affairs acts as the substance abuse contact person for students. The substance abuse contact person is tasked with giving advice and providing support in intervening in students’ substance abuse problems and addressing the matter.
The academies’ heads of academic affairs substitute for the substance abuse contact person whenever necessary.
Teacher tutor activities
At the start of their studies, each student is designated a teacher tutor or another employee performing the same duties under some other title (supervising teacher, supervisor-in-charge, academic affairs employee etc.). The teacher tutor is the student’s support person in questions relating to the progress of studies and in guiding the student in preparing their Personal Study Plan (PSP). Teacher tutors and students meet both in groups and individually
Student tutor activities
From the first day of their studies, each student has an assigned student tutor. They are peer counsellors chosen and authorised by the academy, tasked with introducing the new students with the academy, degree programme, studies, older students and the rest of the university. Student tutors also help in introducing the new students to the Student Union’s activities and to student traditions.
The substance abuse policy and responsible use of alcohol are also topics in tutor training.
The role of the FSHS
The FSHS:
- supports the substance-free life of students and the prevention of substance abuse
- in connection with health examinations, gives degree students information about the effects of alcohol use or other substance use on health and the ability to study
- highlights themes that promote a substance-free and healthy lifestyle at students’ wellbeing events and on its website
- screens for risky alcohol use among degree students with the AUDIT test and provides guidance and advice to users at risk
- participates in the meetings of the substance abuse workgroup/substance abuse contact persons and the implementation of training related to the prevention of substance abuse problems
Information on higher education students’ substance use is collected through a nationwide student health survey (KOTT) every four years. The electronic FSHS health questionnaire for first-year students also gives academy-specific information on students’ substance use. The information is utilised by e.g. the wellbeing workgroup when planning Uniarts Helsinki’s substance abuse prevention measures.
The role of student organisations
Every year, the student wellbeing group talks with representatives of the Student Union about the culture of substance use in the university’s and the academies’ student activities. The group and the Student Union mutually agree on policies supporting the culture of responsible use of alcohol suitable to Uniarts Helsinki’s operational environment.
This is what we do when a student is identified with a substance abuse problem
The matter is discussed with the student
Intervention in the substance abuse problem as early as possible and an early intervention discussion are the primary measures when a student’s substance use raises concerns. Substance use that raises concern may be brought up by a member of the teaching or other staff, a teacher tutor or a fellow student.
A treatment referral negotiation is arranged for the student
The treatment referral negotiation can be initiated by the student or, with the permission of the student, by the university’s teaching staff, staff of wellbeing services or academic affairs or an FSHS employee. The participants in the treatment referral negotiation are the student, an FSHS representative, a representative of the university and when necessary, the student’s support person.
It is recommended that in order to expedite the treatment referral process, the student contacts the FSHS themselves for a situation assessment and a treatment plan already prior to the meeting. The content of FSHS visits is confidential and matters discussed will not be discussed in the treatment referral negotiation without the consent of the student.
The student is referred to treatment
Substance abuse problems can be treated at health clinics, substance abuse outpatient clinics, Youth Substance Abuse Service Pysäkki and the FSHS. The most suitable place for the treatment need assessment is the FSHS. If the student needs a period of institutional rehabilitation, they are guided to their home municipality’s social and health services. During the time spent at the institution, the student may receive Kela rehabilitation funding.
Disciplinary actions due to substance abuse
The university may take the following disciplinary actions:
- remove the student from a teaching situation
- ban the student from attending teaching for three days
- issue a written warning or suspend the student for a fixed term
Disciplinary actions concern all teaching situations at the university, including study trips, for example.
Drug testing
A drug test certificate can be required from university students in all fields, not only those students whose field is subject to the suitability assessment stipulated in legislation related to unsuitability to study (SORA legislation).
The university may oblige a student to present a drug test certificate when there are justifiable grounds to suspect that the student has a drug addiction or is under the influence of drugs while in practical training or while performing practical tasks relating to studies. Drug testing does not concern the use of alcohol.
A further precondition is that the testing is necessary for ascertaining the student’s functional capacity and that the student performs tasks which require especial acuity, reliability, independent judgement or good reactions and where working under the influence of drugs or a drug addition
- seriously endangers the student’s or some other person’s life or health,
- seriously endangers the protection or integrity of data protected by confidentiality provisions or
- significantly increases the risk of illicit trafficking or distribution of substances referred to in the Narcotics Act which are in the possession of the university or the place of training.