Substance Abuse Policy
The use of intoxicants (alcohol, drugs, or the misuse of medication) and being under their influence on Metropolia premises and during learning situations is strictly prohibited. Metropolia university of applied sciences is obligated to intervene in situations where intoxication or possession of substances is suspected.
Substance use can significantly affect your progress in studies and working life. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly reflect on your own use of substances. Metropolia encourages its students toward a substance-free student culture and responsible use of substances.
You have the opportunity to discuss substance-related topics, for example, with your study counselor or your personal study plan (HOPS) instructor. You can also easily contact the FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service) for support. In addition, each student group has its own peer tutor, who introduces your group to the university community, the studies, and other students. The student union and associations organize communal events, always considering alcohol-free options.
Student wellbeing services also provide low-threshold advice, guidance, and conversational support in matters relating to substance use, substance misuse, and life management.
If you are concerned about your own use of substances, you will be supported in accessing help and seeking treatment. You can discuss your situation with your study counselor, HOPS instructor, seek help from FSHS, or student wellbeing services.
If you are concerned about another student’s substance use, raise the issue in a kind manner and express your concern. Encourage your friend to talk about it with a trusted person and suggest they contact FSHS. You can also seek advice from the student union METKA.
If your fellow student is intoxicated on campus, make sure that they are not a danger to themselves or others. If your concern is minor, you can discuss the matter with the intoxicated person, preferably together with someone else, and ensure that your fellow student gets home safely. If your concern is substantial, you can contact your campus lobby services. In emergencies, call 112.
Do not remain alone; seek help and support.
The aim of intervening in substance use is to support you in your studies. If the staff have suspicions or concerns about a possible substance problem, the matter will be discussed with you. The purpose of this discussion is to express concern about your substance use and its effects on your studies and wellbeing. If referral to treatment or other actions to address the substance problem are needed, your study counselor will arrange a referral to healthcare for a comprehensive assessment of your situation.
If you are a student in the social or health care field (SORA fields), possible unsuitability will be assessed together with your degree supervisor and study counselor. It is also then assessed whether the issue should be brought to the attention of the competence area director, who decides on initiating a possible SORA process. You may invite a support person to these discussions.
If your substance use has clearly affected your academic performance, endangered your safety, or seriously damaged your health, the study counselor will arrange a referral to treatment negotiation. The responsibility for providing care lies with the healthcare service unit, and you are responsible for committing to the care.
On certain grounds, Metropolia may require you to provide a drug test certificate. Such grounds include situations where there is justified suspicion that you are under the influence of drugs during tasks or placements related to your studies, or that you are dependent on drugs.
Additionally, it is required that testing is necessary for evaluating your functional capacity, and that you are performing tasks that require special precision, reliability, independent judgment, or good responsiveness, or where working under the influence of drugs or being drug-dependent would seriously endanger your own or others’ life or health, seriously compromise the protection or integrity of confidential information, or significantly increase the risk of illegal trafficking or distribution of drugs or medicinal substances held by Metropolia or your placement. The grounds for testing are always assessed individually (Universities of Applied Sciences Act, section 36).
A drug test certificate may be required from students of all fields, not just those subject to SORA suitability assessments. If you refuse drug testing or do not provide the test result as agreed, the competence area director will decide on suspending your right to study until further actions and/or referral to treatment are agreed upon with you.
The university may, if necessary, use the following disciplinary measures: remove you from a teaching situation, deny your right to participate in teaching for up to three days, issue you a written warning, or suspend you for a fixed term.
If you are studying in a SORA field, as a last resort for addressing safety hazards, your right to study may be revoked. Your right to study may be revoked if you repeatedly endanger the health or safety of others during your studies, are found obviously unsuitable for practical tasks or placements related to your studies, your health status and functional capacity do not fulfill the requirements for admission as a student, or if you concealed information that could have prevented your admission to the program. The decision to revoke the right to study is made by the university board.
However, before making a revocation decision, your possibilities of transferring to another field of study will be clarified. With your consent, you may be transferred to another education program of the university for which you meet the admission requirements.
You must comply with the laws of the host country and recognize that attitudes and legislation regarding substances vary between countries. What is permitted in one country may be prohibited or frowned upon in another.
During an exchange or internship abroad, you act as a representative of Metropolia. You must commit to following the host institution’s rules as well as the laws and regulations of the host country. If substance use affects your study progress during an international exchange, causes disorder, or endangers your wellbeing, the exchange may need to be discontinued. Upon your return to Finland, the matter will be discussed with you, and if needed, you will be directed to support services. Possible referrals to drug testing will be conducted according to instructions at Metropolia UAS.
If substance use leads to disciplinary procedures, they are implemented in accordance with Metropolia UAS rules in addition to general legislation.