The UK’s first safer drug consumption facility, Glasgow’s The Thistle, has been accessed 11,348 times by almost 600 people since it opened a year ago, says the Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).
The facility has so far seen more than 7,800 injections, with 93 medical emergencies – all of which were ‘safely managed within the facility by staff’. Just under 450 of the 575 people now registered to use the service are men.
The Thistle, which is open every day from 9am to 9pm, is a three-year pilot that will be monitored and evaluated in terms of its impact on both service users and the local area. The Scottish Government has committed to making up to £2.3m a year available for the facility. Last year two sites were identified for a potential second consumption room, in Edinburgh.
Although Scotland’s most recent drug death statistics showed a 13 per cent fall – to just over 1,100 – the country’s death rate remains the highest in Europe, and last year saw a number of warnings from Public Health Scotland and local health boards about highly potent nitazenes being found in the drug supply. When The Thistle opened Scotland’s first minister John Swinney said that while it was not ‘silver bullet’ it was designed to ‘complement other efforts’ to reduce deaths and harm.
‘The Thistle, which complements other harm-reduction and treatment and recovery services, has had a profound impact in its first year,’ said drugs minister Maree Todd. ‘Through the ability of staff to respond quickly in the event of an overdose it has undoubtedly saved lives. I would like to thank all staff and partners for their work in establishing the service, working with some of the most vulnerable people in our society to help save and improve lives, and their continuing efforts to support and engage with the local community.’
The service had ‘exceeded any expectations’ for its first 12 months,’ added associate medical director and senior medical officer for Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services, Dr Saket Priyadarshi. ‘It has been great to see service users engaging with the wider services from showers and clothing to referral for treatment and care. The rising numbers in recent months is a positive sign and is promising for the year ahead, as well as our plans to progress a smoking/inhalation space in the facility.’