UK’s first safer drug consumption room officially opens in Glasgow

The UK’s first safer drug consumption room is officially open.

The Thistle – based in Glasgow’s east end – will allow users to be able to consume drugs, including injecting heroin, under supervision in a clean and hygienic environment.

The pilot is being backed by the Scottish government, with Holyrood pledging up to £2.3m a year for the facility to help tackle the country’s drug-related deaths crisis.

Data from National Records of Scotland recently showed there were a total of 1,172 deaths due to drug misuse in 2023 – a rise of 121 (12%) on the previous year.

The safer drug consumption facility (SDCF) is based at Hunter Street Health Centre and will be open 365 days a year from 9am to 9pm.

It is hoped the centre will help addicts access wider support to improve their lives, as well as reduce the risk of blood-borne viruses (BBV) such as HIV.

The facility will not provide drugs – users will have to bring their own supply.

Alongside the eight individual injection booths, there is also a recovery area, private chatrooms, a lounge with books and hot drinks, a shower room, a clothing bank and an outdoor smoking shelter.

There are also two health rooms where users can access a range of treatments, including having any wounds looked at or BBV testing undertaken.

Staff and representatives from a variety of support organisations will also be stationed at the centre to assist those seeking help.

During a tour of the facilities on Friday ahead of its official opening on Monday, First Minister John Swinney said “encouraging progress” had been made since the Scottish government launched a national mission to reduce drug-related deaths.

He added: “While this facility is not a silver bullet, it is another significant step forward and will complement other efforts to reduce harms and deaths.

“Those with lived experience have been involved in the designing of the service and had input on staff recruitment.

“Indeed, people with lived experience, who know what it’s like to see people injecting drugs in unsafe conditions, have joined the workforce at the facility.”

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Dr Saket Priyadarshi, associate medical director for alcohol and drug services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said The Thistle will provide a “severely marginalised group” access to the treatment and support they have been “lacking for years”.

He added: “We have strong evidence from other cities with similar problems that shows a SDCF in Glasgow could help prevent drug deaths, help stem the spread of HIV infection, reduce drug-related litter and significantly reduce costs in other health and social care services.

“We will learn a lot in the first three to six months, and we will keep developing services in response to the needs of the individuals.

“A robust independent evaluation will help us understand the impact the service has had on people who use it and the local community.”

The facility was first proposed in 2016, two years after Glasgow recorded the UK’s largest outbreak of HIV in people who inject drugs in more than 30 years.

However, it was blocked by the Home Office until 2023 when then Scottish secretary Alister Jack announced the UK government would not intervene to stop it from opening.

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Drug laws are set at Westminster but are enforced by the Scottish courts.

The pilot is able to go ahead after Scotland’s most senior legal officer said there would be no public interest in prosecuting people injecting under medical supervision in “injection bays” inside the building.

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC stated: “I have concluded that it would not be in the public interest to prosecute people for simple possession offences when they are already in a place where help with their issues can be offered.”

Ms Bain said she was “satisfied” the Glasgow facility can “provide a way for support services to engage with some of the most vulnerable people in society”.

However, she said the policy will not extend to people on their way to and from the facility or anywhere else in the city.

Ms Bain added: “I understand that this policy may be a source of anxiety for some who live and work near the facility.

“The policy is very narrow and does not mean other offending will be tolerated.

“Supply offences are not included and Police Scotland will enforce these, and other crimes, as they always have.”