Drug Policy

1.1        Drug abuse and smoking pose serious risks to human health and the social life of the community and have significant economic and environmental costs.
 
1.2.        According to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC)'s 2020 World Drug Report, in 2018, more than 35 million people suffered from the consequences of drug abuse. In fact, the number of drug users worldwide is on the rise with cannabis being the most commonly used drug. Other commonly used drugs include alcohol, methamphetamine, heroin, amphetamine-type stimulus (ATS), cocaine, ecstasy, opium, poly drug (a combination of several drugs), pharmaceutical cocktails, tranquilizers and sedatives. Factors contributing towards drug abuse include easy access to drugs at low prices, 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, guilt, grief, low self-esteem, frustration, rejection etc.), curiosity/urge to experiment, influence of media portrayals, peer pressure, lack of support by parents, the family and the community. To address the problem, the Federal Government has passed various laws including the Control of Narcotics Substance Act, 1997 and the Drugs Act, 1976, which proscribes 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.
 
1.3         With respect to smoking, the World Health Organization documents that more than 8 million people die each year from tobacco use with 1.2 million of these deaths from passive smoking alone and many others facing tobacco-related health complications. Accordingly, the Federal Government enacted the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance, 2002 (Ordinance No. LXXIV of 2002) to limit smoking at public places of work or use and in public service vehicles (except in designated areas) and to outlaw tobacco storage, sale, or distribution in the vicinity of educational institutions. Individuals and institutions who violate the law may face the penalty set out in sections 11 (a) and (b) of the Ordinance.
 

SCOPE

2.1.        This policy is applicable to students, faculty, staff and visitors (including individuals associated with outsourced services) in the premises of the Institute (class rooms, grounds, libraries, laboratories, cafeterias etc.)

EFFORTS TO PREVENT DRUG AND TOBACCO ABUSE

3.1.        Institute shall undertake efforts to prevent drug abuse, smoking and illicit smoking. This section lists actions that the Institute shall take as facilitated by the ADTC and the Focal Person.
 
3.2.        Awareness raising against drug abuse and tobacco consumption:

 
3.3.        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, Institute, through the ADTC, shall take the following measures: -
 

   
3.4.        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 include (but are not limited to):
   
3.5.        Engaging student clubs,  organizations and societies and collaboration with other organizations:  Institute can collaborate with various governmental/non-governmental organizations, effectively working for the cause to eradicate drug abuse and discourage tobacco consumption. Through these liaisons, the students can also be provided with an opportunity to volunteer and facilitate ADTC's workings.

SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE DEALING WITH DRUG AND/OR TOBACCO ADDICTION/DEPENDENCE

4.1.        Institute shall ensure that students, faculty, and staff facing drug and/or tobacco addiction/dependence are provided with adequate support.
 
4.2.        On campus counsellor/psychologist/psychiatrist: A counsellor, psychologist, or psychiatrist available at the Institute 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 of the trained professional. If the student requires further assistance, the counsellor/psychologist/psychiatrist may refer the student to rehabilitative services.
 
4.3.        Coordination with Parents: In case a student's parents have been notified pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2 or Section 6.3 of this policy, the Institute shall endeavor to coordinate with the parents of such students for purposes of helping the students with rehabilitation and facilitating their return to their studies in case of any gap.
 
4.4.        Helpline: Institute shall establish a helpline/Number that students, faculty and staff can call whenever they face a mental health issue or a situation in which they may have been tempted to use drugs or tobacco. This helpline/Number will be staffed by a trained counsellor and a team of trained volunteers. Volunteers may include student, faculty, or staff. The helpline/Number may refer students to the on-campus counsellor/psychologist/psychiatrist, rehabilitative services, the ADTC or the relevant Focal Person.

 
4.5         De-stigmatization of the affected students and institute members: Because students, faculty and staff using drugs may need significant medical and psychological assistance, all those who seek support for drug or tobacco dependence and addiction from the Focal Persons, counsellors/psychologists/psychiatrists and the helpline will receive counselling on a confidential basis. Provided that, in the event that a student requires medical attention for drug use the Institute shall promptly inform the student's parents of the matter and coordinate with them to assure the best care for the student.

5. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
 
5.1.       Regular inspection/monitoring: Campus security 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 stop any suspicious and illicit activity occurring in contravention of this policy and relevant legislation.
 
5.2.       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 Focal Person in order to protect the health of the students.
 
5.3.       Complaint: Any person associated with the Institute including (but not limited to) the student, faculty member, non-teaching staff, administrative staff, or a visitor may submit a complaint in writing to the Rector, stating that any person has engaged in drug abuse, illicit smoking, or the unlawful sale or distribution of drugs/tobacco at the Institute. The identity of the whistle blower/complainant shall be kept confidential. The Rector will forward the complaint to the committee without revealing the identity of the whistle blower. The Focal Person shall maintain a proper record of all complaints.
 
5.4.       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.
 
5.5.       Investigation: The ADTC shall investigate all non-frivolous complaints before making its decision through the following process:
 

5.5.1.   Initiation of an inquiry.
 
5.5.2.   The body of facts or information (evidence) that the ADTC uses could be:

5.5.3.   A personal hearing/s with the accused prior to any checking.
 
5.5.4.   Random testing/checking of possessions/individuals by campus security on the recommendation of a committee member.
 

5.6.       Recommendation: All complaints shall be recommended by the ADTC within one month of the receipt and the ADTC's recommendation with penalties as detailed in section 6 of this policy shall be forwarded to the Rector for approval.
 
5.7.       Appeal: An appeal to the decision may be made by the aggrieved within seven working days of the receipt of the decision to the BoG, who shall review the recommendations of the ADTC duly approved by the Rector and uphold, minimize, or revert the decision made by the Rector in next upcoming meeting.
 
5.8.       False Complaint: In the event that the ADTC determines that a false allegation was made in the complaint with mala fide intent, it may send its findings to the Rector and recommend the Rector to approve disciplinary action against the complainant.

6.2.1.   For first time offenders in case of minor infractions, the ADTC may refer the offender to the in-house counsellor/psychologist/psychiatrist to undergo medical and mental health treatment. This referral must be in writing and require the completion of the counselling or rehabilitative program within a set period.
 
6.2.2.   In the event of a significant violation and/or repeated violations of this policy, the ADTC may recommend that the Rector may approve to issue a warning and ultimately terminate, suspend or expel the offender (and in case of students with parental notification). Further, the Institute would have to comply with any reporting requirements under any applicable law.
 
6.2.3.   If a student, faculty, or staff member is involved in the distribution or sale of illicit drugs, the committee can recommend to terminate, excel or suspend that person along with report the violation to the appropriate authorities including law enforcement agencies.
 
6.2.4.   In the event a visitor is found on the premises engaging in any drug-related offense, campus security shall immediately report the violation to the appropriate authorities including law enforcement agencies.

6.3.1.   For a first violation, the ADTC may recommend the Rector to approve to issue a warning letter or a notice of displeasure along with the fine of Rs. 2000.
 
6.3.2.   For a second violation, the ADTC may recommend suspension of the student for one week or more from the premises of the Institute with parental notification and with the fine of Rs. 4000. In case of faculty and staff members, ADTC recommends disciplinary action to be taken as per the Institute’s regulations along with the fine of Rs. 4000.
 
6.3.3.   For a third violation or more, the ADTC may recommend a longer suspension / termination depending on the severity of the violation and further disciplinary action for faculty and staff as per Institute s regulations;
 
6.3.4.   In case any visitor is found smoking in the Institute’s premises, the visitor shall be fined Rs. 2,000 by the Institute, and any further necessary action shall be taken in accordance with the Anti-Tobacco Legislation.
 
6.3.5.   In case of any unlawful sale or distribution of tobacco on the premises of the Institute, the violator shall be fined Rs. 5,000 by the Institute and shall be reported to the appropriate authorities including law enforcement agencies.