SCOTLAND’S first safe drug consumption room officially opened its doors in Glasgow on Monday.
The Thistle Centre, which is the first of its kind in the UK, 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.
Based in Hunter Street in the east end, it will be open to users from 9am to 9pm, 365 days a year – and will be supported with £2 million of Scottish Government cash each year.
Here's all you need to know.
How does the safe drug consumption room work?
It is hoped the centre will help people with drug addictions 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 as users will have to bring their own supply.
There are eight individual injection booths, along with a recovery area, private chat rooms, a lounge area including 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 can be tested for BBV.
Users will also have access to staff and representatives from a variety of support organisations who will be able to assist those seeking help.
Staff will also be able to assist anyone who suffers from an overdose.
Why does Glasgow have a safe drug consumption room?
The safe consumption 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.
With Glasgow one of the worst affected areas, groups in the city have campaigned for years for a safe consumption facility to be established
An investigation was launched following the outbreak of HIV in 2016 and a report was published which recommended a safe drug consumption facility to help meet the needs of 400-500 people who inject daily in public spaces, according to Glasgow City Council.
According to data from the National Records of Scotland, there were a total of 1172 deaths due to drug misuse in 2023, a rise of 121 (12%) from 2022.
Speaking during a tour of the facility last week First Minister John Swinney said: “I hope it will help us to reduce drug deaths in Scotland and to help people to find a different route in their lives.
“We will evaluate the effectiveness of this particular intervention to determine what progress is achieved as a consequence of it, what impact it has had, and to learn the lessons from it.”
