Campaigners see safe use in clinics as a way to tackle drug deaths

Safer substance use has been reported as the UK’s first drugs consumption clinic was used 131 times since it opened last week.

The controversial facility in Glasgow opened on 13 January with managers saying it had an intense first week.

Known as The Thistle, the operators of the facility said they had no medical emergencies resulting from drug use.

Consumption rooms have long been called for by substance misuse charities.

However, legislation remains reserved resulting in Scots policy clashing with Westminster legislation.

Councillor Allan Casey, the 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."

The facility was first proposed for Glasgow in 2016 but years of debate between the Scottish and UK governments then ensued.

The facility was finally approved in the autumn of 2023, with running costs expected to reach nearly £7m over the next three years.

It is situated in the city's Hunter Street, next to a clinic where 23 long-term drug users are currently prescribed pharmaceutical heroin.

The UK government said in 2023 it did not intend to open any clinics elsewhere but would not interfere in the Glasgow plan.

The pilot is able to go ahead after Scotland's most senior legal officer said there would be no public interest in prosecuting people injecting under medical supervision in "injection bays" inside the building.