The Thistle: UK's First Supervised Drug Consumption Room Opens in Glasgow to Reduce Drug Deaths

Jan 13, 2025, 08:20 AM

The UK's first supervised drug consumption room, named 'The Thistle', has opened in Glasgow's east end at Hunter Street. Funded by £2.3 million from the Scottish government, the facility operates from 9am to 9pm daily and features eight injection booths. It aims to reduce drug-related deaths and harm by providing a safe and hygienic environment for users to consume drugs under medical supervision. Users must bring their own drugs, and the center does not supply them. The Thistle is part of a broader strategy to tackle Scotland's high rate of drug-related deaths, which saw an increase of 12% in 2023, totaling 1,172 deaths. First Minister John Swinney described the facility as a 'significant step forward' in addressing the crisis. The facility also seeks to connect users with wider health and social care services, including rehabilitation. A recent poll indicated that 61% of Britons support such facilities. However, the initiative has faced criticism, with some viewing it as an admission of failure in addressing addiction, and others expressing concerns about potential increases in drug trafficking and public disorder in the area.