Support voiced for Dundee drug rooms proposal

THE manager of Dundee’s needle exchange centre has backed calls for drug consumption rooms to be opened in the city.

Danny Kelly, from Harm Reduction Services, which operates the centre, said he feels introducing drug consumption rooms can “provide a safe environment and reduce incidences within the community”.

Mr Kelly also believes addicts themselves can benefit from having access to such facilities.

He said: “In regards to drug consumption rooms within Dundee, I t hink that primarily these offer vulnerable i ndividuals an opportunity to get access t o a variety of interventions.

“These interventions can help to build a trust and rapport through positive engagement.

“Harm reduction methods and approaches must be flexible i n order t o reduce harm from overdoses and increase awareness and access to preventative interventions such as dry blood spot testing, naloxone and safer alternatives to injecting.

“Drug consumption rooms could provide a safe environment and reduce incidences within the community by offering holistic care and interventions that are appropriate and timely that in turn go a significant way in reducing drug-related deaths.”

Officials from Dundee City Council have already voiced their support for the introduction of support centres.

Their backing comes after Glasgow City Council announced it was considering creating the first such facility in Scotland.

Ken Lynn, Dundee’s health spokesman, said: “For people who are nowhere near the recovery stage, we do need a different approach.

“There are 90 such facilities across the world and I don’t think there would be so many if they did not work.

“I know it’s controversial, but I think the time has come for fresh thinking.”