Rules on alcohol and drugs
Luleå University of Technology shall be a workplace where employers, student unions, all employees and students, work for a work environment that is free from alcohol and other drugs. The focus shall be on the health aspect and early detection of risky use. The use of alcohol in leisure time must also not affect efficiency, safety, quality and well-being at work and in the study environment.
- Rules for alcohol and drugs
LTU-1768-2019. 2019-06-10
Preventive work
All students receive a review of the rules for alcohol and drugs in connection with the start of studies and all new students are offered an alcohol lecture. For students who are key people and have a leadership function in student life, training in alcohol and drug knowledge is carried out by Student Health and student unions.
The student health service asks questions about alcohol consumption when you visit them. As a student, you also have the opportunity to test your alcohol consumption once a year via an alcohol habit test that Student Health Services and the student unions send out to you by email. When monitoring students' study results, questions about health and lifestyle factors, including alcohol and drug habits, should be asked.
Signs of risk or abuse
There are signs that may indicate that a person is at risk or abusing alcohol or using drugs. If several of the following signs appear, you should react. These signs may also have other causes such as illness or other types of problems. Whatever the cause, it is good to care about the person by asking how they are feeling. The question itself can make the person concerned reflect on their habits and perhaps initiate a change.
Work and studies
- Change in work performance, less consistent, more erratic work effort.
- Reduced participation in project work.
- Decreased interest in work or studies.
- Increased number of mistakes and misjudgements.
- Difficulty concentrating, poor stamina and increased fatigue.
Behaviour
- Unstable mood, disjointed behaviour.
- Low self-esteem, nervous, hopeless and depressed.
- Irritable, vulnerable and avaricious
- Tendency to isolate themselves.
- More suspicious.
- Change of mind after lunch.
- Frequently involved in accidents outside work.
- Avoids and is more suspicious of supervisors and peers.
- Hangover or smell of alcohol during working hours.
Work ethic and sense of duty
- Repeated short-term absences, especially around weekends and holidays.
- Holidays, leave and domestic work taken without notice.
- late arrivals
- Taking long lunches.
- Prioritizing parties over school work
- unexplained disappearances
- Vaguely defined ailments.
Personal changes
- Poorer social relationships
- indifference
- Smiling and 'dribbling'.
- Less tidy in appearance and dress.
- Financial problems
- Frequent use of bad breath remedies.
- forgetfulness
- shaky hands
- Speaks loudly.
- Positive attitude towards drugs.
- Puffy or swollen face.
- Aggressive.
- physical changes
- hallucinations
Other signals
- Heavy drinking at parties, the alcohol itself is more important than the party.
- Makes a fool of himself at parties.
- Likes to offer alcohol to get a drink for himself.
- Sensitive to comments about drinking.
What can I do as a fellow student?
If you suspect that a fellow student is under the influence of alcohol or drugs during working hours - inform
directly to the nearest teacher. This is especially important when working in laboratory activities. If necessary, call
security or the police.
- Caring is the first and perhaps most important thing you can do as a friend of someone you
think has an emerging alcohol or drug problem. To care is to show consideration.
During the study period, you are often divided into various group work, including
laboratory work and projects. If someone in the group does not fulfill their commitments due to
their alcohol or drug habits, it affects not only the individual but the whole group. This
should never be accepted. Lying or covering up for the person does not solve
the problem.
- Expect that you may be rejected. However, it is helpful to the person if you
draw attention to what you see and feel. This often helps to bring about change.
- As a fellow student, you should talk to the person in question and explain how you see
the situation. No one can say that what you see, feel or how it affects you is wrong.
It is of utmost importance to talk to the peer, not about it.
- Should you as a student suspect that a lecturer or employee is under the influence during
working hours, you should contact their manager immediately. If you feel uncertain about
this, you can turn to your student union.
If you as a student need help or advice on issues related to alcohol and drug habits, you can turn
to the Student Health Service or the student social worker at your student union. You can also get tips and advice before you start a conversation with a fellow student.
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