First drug consumption room in the UK to open in Glasgow

Glasgow will launch the UK’s first official consumption room for illegal drugs, including heroin and cocaine, on October 21. The Safer Drugs Consumption Facility will be located on Hunter Street in the city’s east end and will accommodate up to 30 individuals at a time. The facility has secured funding of up to £2.3 million annually for this pilot project.

The centre will allow people to use illegal drugs under the supervision of clinical staff, operating 365 days a year from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It features booths where up to eight people can safely inject heroin or other substances simultaneously.

Initially, the plan included a space for smoking illegal drugs, but this was removed due to legal complications arising from Scottish anti-smoking laws and challenges with ventilation and filtration systems.

Last year, the lord advocate announced that prosecuting drug users for simple possession within these rooms would not be in the public interest.

The facility’s opening coincides with alarming new data from the National Records of Scotland, which reported a large rise in drug-related deaths. In 2023, 1,172 people died due to drug misuse—121 more than the previous year, marking a 12% increase.

Allan Casey, Glasgow City Council’s convener for homelessness and addiction services, pointed out that the rising numbers show “a public health emergency that demands radical action.”

He stated that the facility aims to “reduce fatal and non-fatal overdoses” by offering a safe, clean environment for drug use under medical supervision. Casey added that while Glasgow has effective alcohol and drug recovery services, people with severe addiction face challenges that seriously endanger their health and well-being.

He acknowledged that participation in treatment programs is widely recognised as crucial for providing the support needed for drug users to start their recovery. The city’s range of interventions and services is specifically designed to support those most at risk and address the critical harms faced by the most vulnerable drug users.