UK’s first safer drugs consumption room opening in Glasgow
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The UK’s first safer drugs consumption room opens its doors in Glasgow on Monday. The Thistle Centre will provide a space where drug users can take illegal substances such as heroin and cocaine under medical supervision in a clean and hygienic environment.
The Scottish Government hopes those who attend the pilot facility can be encouraged to seek support to overcome their addiction. Staff will also be able to assist anyone who suffers an overdose. Scotland continues to have the worst rate of drug deaths in Europe, with the latest figures showing 1,172 people died from drug misuse in 2023 – a rise of 12% on the previous year.
With Glasgow one of the worst affected areas, groups in the city have campaigned for years for a safe consumption facility to be established. The centre was finally established after Scotland’s top prosecutor, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, made clear prosecuting users of such a facility for possession of drugs would not be in the public interest.
From Monday, the centre, in Hunter Street in the east end, will be open to users from 9am to 9pm, 365 days a year. The centre will be supported with £2 million of Scottish Government cash each year. Speaking during a tour of the facility last week First Minister John Swinney said: “I hope it will help us to reduce drugs deaths in Scotland and to help people to find a different route in their lives.
