‘Decades behind other countries in tackling this’

unsafe discarding of needles in public areas of the station.

‘Our primary responsibility remains the safety of our staff and our passengers,’ he added.

Could it be possible that, in withdrawing the needle exchange from a place where many consider it did not belong, the quango was taking a positive step to break the cycle feeding drug users’ addiction and preying on its customers’ better nature?

If so, it faces a Herculean struggle against the tide. Already a Glasgow city centre ‘shooting gallery’ – offering pharmaceutical grade heroin free of charge – is in the pipeline.

Vending machines dispensing clean needles are another innovation.

‘We are decades behind other countries in the way we tackle this problem,’ says Dr Emilia Crighton of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Meanwhile, under intense pressure from politicians and drug users’ support groups, Network Rail seems likely to cave in any day.

‘We will be meeting with partners again to review the needle exchange service,’ a spokesman said. ‘We absolutely want to work with the public agencies to address this issue.’

A resumption of normal service for the Glasgow Central addicts would certainly bring satisfaction to Network Rail’s highly vocal critics.

But it will offer precious little for the tens of thousands running the gauntlet of city’s social problems – problems concentrated around a railway station precisely because it is busy.

In this little turf war over drug policy, the public’s needs, it appears, are secondary.