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First drug consumption room user figures revealed

PA Media The entrance to the Thistle clinic. The name is in large letters on the wall, and several windows are in a line next to the name.PA Media
The Thistle clinic was used 131 times in its first week

The UK's first drug consumption clinic has been used more than 130 times since it opened last week.

The Safer Drugs Consumption Facility in Glasgow opened on 13 January, letting people take substances under supervision.

Councillor Allan Casey, the city convener for addiction services, said it had been an "intense first week" for staff, with the service being used a total of 131 times.

There were no medical emergencies resulting from drug use within the facility - known as the Thistle - in the first seven days.

The 131 figure includes people who used the service on more than one occasion.

It is hoped that the clinic can reduce fatal and non-fatal overdoses by providing a safe and clean place for people to use drugs, while also giving people further support to cope with their addiction.

As well as safer injecting facilities, users were provided with wound care, clean injecting equipment and naloxone as required.

A spokesperson for the facility said some users had already engaged with housing and drug treatment support.

PA Media Several cubicles, numbered from 4 to 8, lined up - there are mirrors at each one, with a chair and other items on each table. A man wearing a dark jacket, with his head not visible is sitting at No 5.PA Media
It is hoped the clinic can cut down on drug overdoses in Glasgow

Mr Casey added that the clinic had made a "promising start" since opening.

He added: "It's been an intense first week for the team as all eyes are on Glasgow.

"I am delighted to hear people are making use of all the facilities available at the Thistle.

"We know this is not a silver bullet - but having a facility that is safe, hygienic and medically supervised will go a long way towards reducing drug-related overdoses, injection-related wounds and infections, and the negative impact that injecting outdoors has on local communities."

The facility was first proposed for Glasgow in 2016 but years of debate between the Scottish and UK governments than ensued.

The facility was finally approved in the autumn of 2023, with running costs expected to reach nearly £7m over the next three years.

It is situated in the city's Hunter Street, next to a clinic where 23 long-term drug users are currently prescribed pharmaceutical heroin.

A previous report by the NHS estimated approximately 400 to 500 people" used drugs publicly in the city centre on a regular basis, while Scotland has consistently had the highest number of drug death overdoses in Europe.

The UK government said in 2023 it did not intend to open any clinics elsewhere, but would not interfere in the Glasgow plan.