Drug consumption room visited more than 130 times in first week of operation

The UK’s first safer drug consumption has been visited more than 130 times since it opened in Glasgow last week, the city council has said.

The Thistle Centre, which officially opened on Monday January 13, is a space where drug users can take illegal substances such as heroin and cocaine under medical supervision in a hygienic environment.

The Scottish Government hopes those who attend the pilot facility can be encouraged to seek support to overcome their addiction.

It has previously been described by health secretary Neil Gray as “a tool in the box” to tackle Scotland’s drug death rate, which is the worst in Europe.

Glasgow City Council revealed on Tuesday staff saw 131 attendances during the facility’s first week of operation.

The local authority said there were no medical emergencies resulting from drug use in that time.

SNP councillor Allan Casey, city convener for addiction services, said: “It’s been an intense first week for the team as all eyes are on Glasgow.

“I am delighted to hear people are making use of all the facilities available at The Thistle.

“We know this is not a silver bullet – but having a facility that is safe, hygienic and medically supervised will go a long way towards reducing drug-related overdoses, injection-related wounds and infections, and the negative impact that injecting outdoors has on local communities.

“It’s a promising start and I know the team, and everyone involved is eager to engage and welcome more people in the weeks and months to come.”

Scotland continues to have the worst rate of drug deaths in Europe, with the latest figures showing 1,172 people died from drug misuse in 2023 – a rise of 12% on the previous year.

With Glasgow one of the worst affected areas, groups in the city have campaigned for years for a safe consumption facility to be established.