Drug Policy

1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Drug abuse and smoking pose serious risks to human health and the social life of the community and have significant economic and environmental costs. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime 2020 World Drug Report, which published in 2018, states that more than 35 million people suffered from the consequences of drug abuse. The most common drugs used are cannabis, alcohol, methamphetamine, heroin, amphetamine-type stimulus, cocaine, ecstasy, opium, poly drug, pharmaceutical cocktails, tranquilizers and sedatives etc. Factors contributing towards drug abuse include easy access to drugs, rapidly changing social norms, existence and presence of drug dens and cartels, unemployment and economic distress, lack of awareness on drug abuse within the family and in educational institutions, mental health problems (such as anxiety, depression, anger, grief, low self-esteem, frustration, rejection etc.), curiosity/urge to experiment, influence of media portrayals, peer pressure and lack of support by the community etc. To address the problem, the Federal Government has passed various laws including the Control of Narcotics Substance Act, 1997 and the Drugs Act, 1976 that proscribe the possession and distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol with penalties for violations provided in the Code of Criminal Procedure up to and including capital punishment.

The World Health Organization documents reveal that more than 8 million people die each year from tobacco use. The Federal Government enacted the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance, 2002 to limit smoking at public places of work or use and in public service vehicles and to outlaw tobacco storage, sale, or distribution in the vicinity of educational institutions. Individuals and institutions those violate the law may face the penalty as given in the ordinance.

2. SCOPE

This policy is applicable upon the students, faculty, staff and visitors (including individuals associated with outsourced services) in the premises of the College including grounds and cafeterias etc.

3. EFFORTS TO PREVENT DRUG AND TOBACCO ABUSE

The College shall undertake efforts to prevent drug abuse, smoking and illicit smoking. The College will constitute a Committee, Anti-Drug and Tobacco Committee (ADTC), to probe the reported cases in the College premises pertaining to drug and tobacco abuse and make recommendation thereon.

The College shall take the following steps for the prevention of drug and tobacco abuse:

• a) Awareness against Drug Abuse and Tobacco Consumption

  • i) As possession, use, distribution and sale of drugs is prohibited in Pakistan. Accordingly, the College shall ensure that students, staff and faculty are aware of the legal and disciplinary penalties for drug possession, use, distribution and sale etc.
  • ii) The College shall display labels in accordance with the prohibition of smoking under Anti-Tobacco Legislation. Additionally, all students should be made aware of the adverse effects of smoking on health.

• b) Awareness Raising Strategies

  In order to create and promote awareness and to educate people about the negative effects of drug and tobacco use and its prohibition, the College, through the ADTC, shall take the following measures:

  • i) All newly admitted students and newly appointed faculty/staff members shall attend a mandatory orientation session, arranged by the College. The session shall make them aware of this policy and the dangers of drug abuse and smoking.
  • ii) The College shall distribute drug and tobacco awareness material through pamphlets etc. for awareness of students. This may include pictorial illustrations of the adverse health effects of drug and tobacco consumption.
  • iii) The relevant warnings under this policy as well provisions related to punishments for violations shall be displayed time and again on the notice board of the College.
  • iv) Awareness raising campaigns including seminars, walks, workshops by the College itself and also in collaboration with relevant professionals, departments and NGOs.

• c) Activities and Programs

  Students must be encouraged to participate in a diverse array of programs as healthy engagements that may prevent any inclination toward smoking or Drug Abuse. These may include:

  • i) Extra and co-curricular activities on campus such as theater, dramatics etc.
  • ii) Community service including plantation, distribution of food amongst the disadvantaged, volunteer work at old/shelter homes.
  • iii) Fitness, exercise, sports and athletic activities.
  • iv) Hosting and monitoring of recreational events by the College to provide an avenue to bring together students without drug and tobacco use; and
  • v) Any other likewise program from time to time.

• d) Engaging various Organizations and Societies

  The College can collaborate with various governmental/non-governmental organizations, effectively working for the cause to eradicate drug abuse and discourage tobacco consumption.

4. PROVISION OF SUPPORT TO STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS

a) On Campus Counselor/Psychologist/Psychiatrist

The College Management shall help students, staff and faculty members by guiding them through any problems or issues such as peer pressure and demotivation which often lead to drug and tobacco consumption. Any student suffering from any mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder may also seek assistance from the College. If the student requires further assistance, the concern can be referred to rehabilitative services.

b) Coordination with Parents

In case actions are taken against students in pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 of this policy, the College where necessary will also take necessary measures of helping the students with rehabilitation and facilitating their return to their studies in case of any gap.

5. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

a) Inspection/Monitoring

Campus security and/or any other staff member (deputed for the purpose) shall undertake frequent and random visits to the cafeterias, canteens, tuck shops, and other such places susceptible to the sale, usage and distribution of drugs/tobacco and shall report to the Chairman (who is competent authority) for any suspicious or illicit activity occurring in contravention of this policy and relevant legislation.

b) Training programs

Staff and faculty may receive training aimed at understanding behavior indicative of drug abuse so that they may refer such matters to the College management in order to protect the health of the students.

c) Complaint

In addition to the security staff/individual indicated under sub-section (a) of this section; any person associated with the College including the student, faculty member, non-teaching staff, administrative staff, or a visitor may submit a complaint in writing to the Chairman, stating that a person or more persons has/have been seen engaged in drug abuse, illicit smoking, or the unlawful sale or distribution of drugs/tobacco at the College. The identity of the whistle blower/complainant shall be kept confidential. The Chairman will forward the complaint to the ADTC for probing and appropriate action without revealing the identity of the whistle blower.

d) Initial Scrutiny

Each complaint shall be assessed based on shared information. Complaints substantive in nature and associated with sufficient supporting documents/evidence shall be considered for further investigation by the ADTC.

e) Investigation

The ADTC shall investigate all non-frivolous complaints before making its decision through the following process:

• i) Initiation of an inquiry.
• ii) The body of facts or information (evidence) that the ADTC uses could be:
• - Eye witness evidence;
• - Physical evidence – individual found in possession of any illegal substance, individual found intoxicated (proven by a drug test) or individual caught distributing any illegal drugs or tobacco on campus;
• - Video recording of the security cameras etc.
• iii) A personal hearing/s with the accused prior to any checking.
• iv) Random testing/checking of possessions/individuals by campus security on the direction of the College Management.

f) Recommendation

All complaints shall be examined by the ADTC within one month of the receipt and the ADTC's report made thereon with recommended penalties as detailed in section 6 of this policy shall be forwarded to the Chairman for approval.

g) Appeal

An appeal can be made by the aggrieved within seven working days of the receipt of the decision of ADTC to the competent authority, who shall review the recommendations of the ADTC and is authorized to uphold, modify or revert the decision, after due listening to all the parties concerned.

h) False Complaint

In the event that the ADTC determines that a false allegation was made in the complaint with mala-fide intention, it may send its findings to the Chairman and recommend the disciplinary action to be taken against the complainant.

6. PENALTIES

To discourage drug abuse and smoking, the Chairman may approve the following penalties on the recommendation of ADTC:

a) Drug Abuse

For drug-related violations, the Chairman may, on recommendation by the ADTC, approve disciplinary action against students, staff, faculty, and visitors in the following way:

• i) In case of minor infractions, the concern can be referred to in-house counselor/psychologist/psychiatrist to undergo medical and mental health treatment. This referral must be in writing and require the completion of the counseling or rehabilitative program within a set period.
• ii) In the event of a significant violation and/or repeated violations of this policy, the ADTC may recommend that the Chairman may approve to issue a warning and ultimately terminate, suspend or expel the offender.
• iii) If a student, faculty, or staff member is involved in the distribution or sale of illicit drugs, the ADTC can recommend to terminate, expel, suspend that individual along with report the violation to the appropriate authorities including law enforcement agencies, if occasion so demand.
• iv) In the event a visitor is found on the premises engaging in any drug-related offense, the College Management shall immediately report the violation to the appropriate authorities including law enforcement agencies, if occasion so demand.

b) Smoking

For smoking-related violations, the Chairman may, on recommendation by the ADTC, approve the following penalties:

• i) For a first violation, issuance of warning letter or a notice of displeasure to the concerned individual along with the fine not exceeding than Rs.500/-.
• ii) For a second violation, rustication for two weeks from the College with fine not exceeding than Rs.1000/- in case of student. However, in case of faculty and staff members, disciplinary action will be taken which may lead to suspension and fine not exceeding than Rs.1000/-.
• iii) For a third violation or more, longer suspension depending on the severity of the violation and further disciplinary proceeding including termination, expulsion and fine from Rs.2000/- to Rs.5000/-.
• iv) In case any visitor is found smoking in the College’s premises, the visitor shall be fined Rs.1000/- by the College, and any further necessary action shall be taken in accordance with the Anti-Tobacco Legislation.
• v) In case of any unlawful sale or distribution of tobacco in the premises of the College, the violator shall be fined Rs.5000/- and shall be reported to the authorities for taking appropriate action against the concern.