Safer drugs consumption facility in Glasgow used more than 1,000 times since opening
The Thistle - based in Glasgow's east end - allows users to consume drugs under supervision in a clean and hygienic environment.
Tuesday 4 March 2025 14:14, UK
More than 1,000 visits have been made to the UK's first safer drugs consumption facility since it opened, new figures have revealed.
Glasgow City Council confirmed 143 people have visited The Thistle a total of 1,067 times since it opened on Monday 13 January.
The figures cover the first seven weeks of its operation, up to Sunday 2 March.
The facility - based in Glasgow's east end - allows users to be able to consume drugs under supervision in a clean and hygienic environment.
The local authority said nursing staff at the centre had supervised more than 700 injecting episodes - with people injecting cocaine, heroin or both.
The council said a "number of medical emergencies" had been managed, with support from the Scottish Ambulance Service required on "some of these occasions".
Those involved in the emergencies were said to have recovered and were provided with "further harm reduction and support" from The Thistle team.
The figures were released ahead of MPs on Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee taking evidence on the facility on Wednesday.
Councillor Allan Casey, city convener for addiction services, said: "We are really pleased with how things are going at this early stage.
"The Thistle is a new service, unique to Scotland. It is reassuring to know how well it's running and it's reaching the population it hoped to.
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"The team have saved lives and are helping greater numbers of people than we ever expected to in the first seven weeks of opening.
"There is no denying how much of a difference The Thistle is making to the lives of those using it
"Lives have been saved, people who have felt marginalised and distant from support are engaging with staff and the early feedback from service users and wider partners is positive."
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The safer drug consumption facility (SDCF) is based at Hunter Street Health Centre and is open 365 days a year from 9am to 9pm.
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 showed there were a total of 1,172 deaths due to drug misuse in 2023 - a rise of 121 (12%) on the previous year.
It is hoped the centre will help addicts access wider support to improve their lives, as well as reduce the risk of blood-borne viruses (BBV) such as HIV.
Further updates on the facility's work will be provided to the Glasgow City Integration Joint Board, with an independent evaluation also under way.
MSP Annie Wells, the Scottish Conservative shadow minister for drugs and alcohol, said: "It's far too early for the SNP to hail this consumption room as the silver bullet to Scotland's drugs deaths crisis.
"Strip away the spin and little hard evidence has been provided of this being a life-saving game-changer.
"SNP ministers cannot count on The Thistle being the sole solution to Scotland's drugs deaths epidemic.
"It's vital they commit to investing in rehabilitation, and back our Right to Recovery Bill to guarantee everyone a right to treatment for their addiction."