Scotland leader praises first UK consumption facility for illegal drugs
The pilot centre aims to reduce harm associated with injecting drugs, as Scotland grapples with the highest drug misuse death rates in Europe
Scotland’s leader John Swinney has hailed the opening next week of Britain’s first official consumption room for illegal drugs, after a years-long battle with the UK government over the issue.
The pilot facility in Glasgow, backed by a £2 million (US$2.5 million) Scottish government grant, will allow users to take their own drugs in a clean environment under medical supervision.
It aims to reduce harm associated with injecting drugs, including the risk from blood-borne viruses such as HIV, as Scotland grapples with the highest drug misuse death rates in Europe.
The devolved government in Edinburgh, led by Swinney’s Scottish National Party, also hopes to help drug users improve their lives at the facility and reduce the wider negative impacts of them injecting in public places.
“While this facility is not a silver bullet, it is another significant step forward and will complement other efforts to reduce harm and deaths,” First Minister Swinney said on Friday as he toured the location.
He noted people “with lived experience” of the issue were involved in designing the service and recruiting staff.
