Drug consumption room ‘saves lives’ says Swinney, as Tories call for closure

First Minister John Swinney has backed the UK’s first drug consumption room as the Scottish Tories called for its closure.

The Thistle opened in 2025 in the east end of Glasgow, offering those struggling with addiction a place to take drugs while under medical supervision.

In its first year of opening, the centre was used by around 600 people, with 612 referrals to various services.

Staff were also able to deal with 93 medical emergencies.

But there has been criticism of how the opening of the centre has impacted on the Calton area of the city in which it sits, with neighbours reporting an increase in anti-social behaviour and needles being discarded.

On Wednesday, the Scottish Tories announced proposals to scrap the plans in a flurry of policies announced before their conference this week, with drugs spokeswoman Annie Wells describing the centre as a “reckless experiment in state-sponsored drug taking” which has “clearly not worked”.

But speaking to the Press Association during a visit in Perth on Wednesday, John Swinney gave his backing to the centre.

“The Thistle consumption facility is an important initiative in trying to support individuals who are using drugs, and it is part of an investment in the measures to reduce drug deaths in Scotland, to provide support to individuals who are at significant risk of harm as a consequence of their drug taking,” he said.

“I think there’s significant evidence that lives have been saved as a consequence of the steps that have been taken by the Thistle and if lives have been saved, that is the objective of the Government’s approach on tackling drugs.

“So, therefore, I think the Thistle facility is making an important contribution to that work and it has my support.”

Announcing the move, Ms Wells said: “The Thistle hasn’t got addicts off drugs or reduced Scotland’s appalling death toll. Instead, it has caused misery for local residents forced to put up with anti-social behaviour and needles strewn across their streets.

“Millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money has been squandered on The Thistle in its first year alone – cash that could have gone into proper recovery and rehabilitation services.

“Instead of admitting they got it wrong, SNP ministers doubled down.

“They rejected our game-changing Right to Recovery Bill and are even trying to roll out more drug consumption rooms across Scotland.

“Enough is enough. The Scottish Conservatives would shut The Thistle, prevent more consumption rooms opening, and plough every penny spared into treatment services that actually help people get clean.”