A Tory minister has rejected calls for drug consumption rooms in Scotland despite "compelling evidence" they help save lives.
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said both the Scottish and UK Governments need to work together on a strategy to combat the number of drugs deaths across the country.
The SNP government has been calling for the introduction of drug consumption rooms in a bid to prevent deaths, however calls over been rejected on a number of occasions by the Tory government.
Scotland has recorded the worst drugs death figures in Europe for a number of years which led to criticism of Nicola Sturgeon's approach.
Angela Constance was appointed as the Minister for Drugs Policy in 2020 in a bid to reduce the number of deaths across the country.
The SNP MSP has repeatedly called for drugs consumption rooms to be introduced in Scotland following a number of success schemes across the world.
Malthouse was asked on the BBC Good Morning Scotland about the introduction of safe spaces to consume.
He said: "We've obviously been in discussion about this, and I've remained open minded but I have to say the evidence that's been put forward thus far, is not that compelling.
"You've got to remember that it's a very complicated area legally, the operation of a room like that would require a number of offences to occur, not least the possession of drugs, obviously, and the administering and supply of them.
"There's some difficult questions there that need to be addressed.
"I've said this before, to some criticism in the media, that to me it's a distraction.
"The big game, the most important game, is the health and rehabilitation game - particularly for heroin and crack users.
"The more we can work together as a UK and Scottish Government on getting that formula right that will make the biggest difference."
Constance hit back saying the evidence for safe spaces is "compelling".
She added: "The evidence around drugs consumption rooms is compelling.
"If you look at the new facility that recently opened in New York, within three weeks they saved around 57 lives.
"100 cities around the world have safer drug consumption rooms.
"Mr. Malthouse, not that long ago, received an evidence paper from Scottish Government pointing out the compelling evidence for drug consumption rooms and we will continue to do everything within our own powers and within the law in Scotland.
"We are doing very detailed, delicate work with the Crown Office and with Police Scotland.
"These of course are independent organisations who you know will come to their own conclusion working closely with health services in Glasgow, because I absolutely determined to use every tool in the box."
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