First UK drug consumption room to open this month

The UK's first official consumption room for illegal drugs including heroin and cocaine will open in Glasgow later this month.

As of 13 January, the Safer Drugs Consumption Facility on Hunter Street will allow people to take substances under the supervision of clinicians.

It had been due to open in October but was pushed back while checks were carried out on the building's water and ventilation systems.

The facility - known as the Thistle - will accommodate up to 30 service users at a time, 365 days a year from 09:00 until 21:00.

The service is designed to reduce fatal and non-fatal overdoses by providing a safe and clean place for people to use drugs. It is hoped the east-end facility will also help people get further support to tackle their addiction.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said the Scottish government was providing £2.3m towards the new facility, adding: "Evidence from over 100 facilities worldwide tells us it will save lives."

Councillor Allan Casey, convener for addiction services at Glasgow City Council, said he was "delighted".

"We have been pushing for a safer drug consumption facility for some time," he said.

"It's a welcome relief to know we can finally have people in to access the service and support available within the Thistle.

While the idea of a drugs consumption room was first proposed in 2016 following an HIV outbreak in the city, its development was embroiled in years of political wrangling between the Scottish and UK governments.

It was given the green light by Glasgow City Council in September 2023 with the backing of the Scottish government.

The pilot scheme aims to tackle Scotland's drugs deaths crisis, which cause more deaths per head than anywhere else in Europe.

Figures for 2023 revealed that 1,172 people died from drug misuse - up 121 on the previous 12 months, representing a 12% increase.