Still no opening date set for UK’s first drug consumption room

No date has been set for opening of a safe drug consumption room in Glasgow, the Big Issue has learned.

It was given the legal green light in September 2023, paving the way for the UK’s first safer consumption room, with campaigners calling for the facility to be introduced “without delay”. But work is still ongoing on the Hunter Street facility, after initial expectations that the centre would have staff in place by April.

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“Work to open Scotland’s first safer drug consumption facility is progressing well and engagement with local businesses, residents and community groups is ongoing,” said councillor Allan Casey, city convener for workforce, homelessness and addiction services.

“We have recently completed a successful recruitment campaign, supported by volunteers with lived experience, and staff will be coming into post in the coming weeks, where they will undertake induction and training plans.

“The extensive engagement with people with lived and living experience has helped shape the design of the service.”

The facility will provide an environment where drug users can consume substances including heroin while being supervised by trained professionals, with a budget of £7m for three years.

Having first been seriously considered in 2015, it was approved amid the backdrop of high rates of drug deaths in Scotland. Opiates including heroin account for 82% of drug misuse deaths. 

The number of suspected drug deaths in Scotland increased by 10% from 2022 to 2023, reversing a downward trend seen during the pandemic.

People from the most deprived areas of the country are 16 times more likely to die from drug misuse, and Glasgow saw twice as many drug deaths as the next highest area of Scotland.

Extra work on the safer consumption facility includes an outdoor smoking area, the Big Issue understands.

“Safe consumption facilities will play a key part in reducing drug harms including blood-borne viruses, overdoses and deaths,” said Patricia Tracey, head of alcohol and other drugs at Turning Point Scotland.

“We support this facility and will continue to work with all partners to lend our expertise as leaders in our field for the implementation of the facility.”

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