Opening of UK's first drugs consumption room in Glasgow delayed

The safe drug consumption facility (SDCF) will allow users to be able to consume drugs, including injecting heroin, under supervision.

Jenness Mitchell

Scotland reporter @Jenster13

Thursday 10 October 2024 14:46, UK

The facility at Hunter Street Health Centre in Glasgow. Pic: PA
Image: The facility at Hunter Street Health Centre in Glasgow. Pic: PA
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The opening date of the UK's first official facility for the safer consumption of illegal drugs has been delayed.

The facility at Hunter Street Health Centre in Glasgow was due to open on 21 October but has been pushed back while checks are carried out on the building.

The new date is yet to be announced.

The safe drug consumption facility (SDCF) will allow users to be able to consume drugs, including injecting heroin, under supervision.

Pic: PA
Image: Pic: PA
Pic: PA
Image: Pic: PA

The pilot is being backed by the Scottish government, with Holyrood pledging up to £2.3m a year for the facility to help tackle the country's drug-related deaths crisis.

Data from National Records of Scotland (NRS) recently showed there were a total of 1,172 deaths due to drug misuse in 2023 - a rise of 121 (12%) on the previous year.

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After adjusting for age, Glasgow City and Dundee City had the highest rates of drug misuse deaths while East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire had the lowest.

Scotland's rate of recorded drug deaths currently remains higher than other parts of the UK and European nations.

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Glasgow City Council said it was close to opening the facility but given the scale of the project some "complexities" needed to be "worked out".

A spokesperson for the local authority said: "While we haven't been able to meet our estimated opening date, all partners continue to work at pace to ensure that we get this service open as soon as possible.

"This will happen once the building passes the stringent NHS Assure process which has been put in place to ensure public safety."

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NHS Assure was set up in 2021 to improve quality and management within major construction projects in the healthcare sector.

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