A facility where users can inject drugs under nurses’ supervision is set to open in Glasgow on Monday after nearly a decade of debate regarding the city’s high rate of narcotic-related deaths. The Safer Drug Consumption Facility, named the Thistle, will be the first of its kind in Britain, providing a safe environment similar to initiatives in cities like New York.
The facility will feature amenities such as hot drinks, a lounge area with sofas, and individual booths for injections. Users will be required to bring their own drugs, while staff will monitor safety without administering injections.
The Thistle will operate year-round and includes a reception area, individual booths for injecting, a recovery space, and an aftercare area for support and advice from charities. Users will have access to clean syringes, needles, and swabs, with eight booths available for use.
Lynn Macdonald, the service manager, stated that while users are not required to disclose their drugs, this information may help staff provide harm reduction advice. Each booth is designed with a tilted mirror to allow staff to observe the injection process while maintaining user dignity.
The initiative is funded by the Scottish government, which is providing £2 million (approximately $2.4 million) annually. Supporters of drug consumption rooms argue that such facilities can reduce the risks of overdose and infection, lower acute hospital admission costs, and connect users with healthcare professionals for addiction treatment.
Scotland has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe, with 1,172 reported in 2023, marking a 12 percent increase from the previous year. Opioids were involved in the majority of these fatalities. The need for a safe consumption facility gained urgency following a significant HIV outbreak in Glasgow in 2015, linked to public injecting practices.
Research indicated that around 400 to 500 individuals were regularly injecting drugs in Glasgow’s city center, which raised public health concerns. The City Council supports the facility, citing studies that show such initiatives can reduce drug-related harm and provide financial savings by alleviating pressure on health services and the judicial system.
The opening of the Thistle represents a pivotal moment for drug policy in Britain, as it follows extensive discussions on reducing overdoses and taking drug use off the streets. The legal framework for the facility was established after the Lord Advocate determined that prosecuting users for possession in such a setting would not serve the public interest. The British government has stated it will not interfere with the Glasgow project but will monitor its outcomes.
However, some local residents express concerns that the facility may lead to increased drug dealing in the area. Critics, including the charity Faces & Voices of Recovery U.K., argue that the facility could perpetuate destructive behaviors rather than promote recovery, suggesting it sends a message that recovery is not possible.
In contrast, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has endorsed the facility, asserting that while it is not a comprehensive solution, it represents an important step forward in efforts to reduce drug-related harms and fatalities.