Demands growing for safe space drug rooms
First Minister Humza Yousaf and his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon have signed a group letter sent to the Home Secretary calling for drug consumption rooms to be introduced in Glasgow.
Last month Westminster’s home affairs committee said providing a safe space for drug users could reduce drug deaths and should be considered. They recommended a pilot scheme be trialled in Glasgow on the back of their report.
This comes as statistics showed 1,051 people died last year north of the Border from drug misuse.
A group of Glasgow SNP MPS and MSPS, including Mr Yousaf and Ms Sturgeon, have now written to Home Secretary Suella Braverman urging her to not ignore the home affairs committee’s recommendations.
Thirteen Glasgow MPS signed the letter, saying “bold and courageous” thinking is needed to tackle problematic drug use in Scotland, and stressing the powers to tackle drug deaths need to be devolved to Holyrood.
Kaukab Stewart, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin and one of the politicians who signed the letter, said: “Far too many lives in Scotland are still being lost to drug misuse, and we need direct, bold and courageous thinking if we want to turn the tide on these statistics.
“While the most recent drug deathsstatisticsshowedasmall improvement,muchworkisstill urgently needed.
“For years now the SNP has called for the funding of safe
consumption facilities, so that people who use illicit drugs can do so in a safe and supervised environment, which removes thestigmathatsooftenprevents people from accessing the help they need and now, a Tory-led committee agrees.”
She added: “Westminster needs to take heed of their committee’s recommendations and start treating problematic drug use like the public health emergency that it is.
“If not, they should at least devolve the appropriate powers to Scotland so that we can makeourownpolicyandimplement safe consumption facilitiessothatpeopleinvolvedwith illicit drugs are treated with the compassion and respect they deserve.”
Another echoing the calls is drugs campaigner Peter Krykant.
He said: “It was amazing to see such wonderful services
in Copenhagen. It is distressing to see these things in other countries when we don’t have access to them at all in Scotland.
“The difference between Scotland and Denmark is massive. There were drug checking facilities so users could check for contaminants as well as the injection and inhalation rooms.
“This is not a silver bullet, but it does connect drug users to
support from health and welfare services.”
He also says the cost of drug consumption rooms may actually end up saving taxpayers’ money in the long run, as it will reduce pressure on health services and council sanitation staff.
Mr Krykant said: “Around the site in Copenhagen, there has been over an 80 per cent reduction in discarded equipment."
Westminster needs to take heed
MSP Kaukab Stewart