Glasgow Opens UK's First Safe Drug Room

Glasgow has opened the UK's first Safer Drug Consumption Facility, known as 'The Thistle', aimed at addressing rising drug-related deaths in Scotland, which reached 1,172 in 2023. Funded by the Scottish government with £2 million annually, the facility allows individuals to consume drugs like heroin under medical supervision in a hygienic environment, with support services available. Users must bring their own drugs, and the facility will not provide them, but it is designed to reduce the risk of blood-borne viruses and support recovery efforts. The opening follows years of advocacy for such services amidst a severe drug crisis in Scotland, which has the highest rate of drug deaths in Europe. While the UK government currently has no plans for similar facilities in England and Wales, the initiative may influence future policies based on its outcomes. First Minister John Swinney emphasized that while the facility is not a complete solution, it represents significant progress in tackling the drug crisis.