The UK’s first drugs ‘consumption room’ where addicts can safely use narcotics including heroin is set to open within days.
Known as The Thistle, Britain’s first facility of its kind will open in Glasgow on Monday January 13 and will allow drug users to take banned substances under medical supervision.
Officials at the NHS and Glasgow City Council approved the new £2.3million centre in September 2023.
Consumption rooms were proposed in the city as far back as 2016, following an outbreak of HIV among drug users.
The new facility at Hunter Street Health Centre will operate from 9am to 9pm 365 days a year, and will provide a space for addicts to use narcotics including heroin.
It was due to open last year, but faced delays pending an inspection of the water and ventilation, Glasgow Live reported.
Designs featured eight ‘injecting booths’ and a large ‘aftercare’ area, including a cafe, seating and possibly a TV.
Drug users will also have access to showers, clean clothes and phone calls at the centre, which aims to provide them with dignity.
The UK’s first safe drug consumption room is to open in Glasgow this month. Pictured: Injecting booths at the centre
Drug users will be able to use the facility to take banned narcotics under medical supervision
A bird’s eye view of the new facility at the Hunter Street Health Centre in Glasgow
The first of its kind, state-of-the-art facility will provide a safe and dignified space for drug users
Councillor Allan Casey, Glasgow’s City Convener for Workforce, Homelessness and Addiction Services, said: ‘We are obviously delighted that the required tests have now concluded, and the facility can open on Monday, 13 January.
‘We have been pushing for a safer drug consumption facility for some time. It’s a welcome relief to know we can finally have people in to access the service and support available within the Thistle.’
He added that similar facilities in operation around the world were evidence that ‘they do make a difference’.
It came as a report by Glasgow’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) estimated that as many as 400 to 500 people regularly take drugs in public places around the city.
However some politicians said that officials should prioritise treatment, with Conservatives suggesting the plan was a step ‘in the wrong direction’.
Tory MSP Sue Webber said: ‘While a variety of solutions must be looked at to tackle Scotland’s drug deaths crisis, SNP ministers cannot keep acting like drug consumption rooms are a silver bullet.
‘Scotland has the worst drugs deaths rate in Europe by far, and once again on the SNP’s watch they are heading in the wrong direction. Ministers must prioritise getting those suffering with addiction access to treatment wherever they need it.’
