Drug consumption rooms: FOI release

Information requested

1. Why is there a need for consumption rooms?

2. How many young people are affected by drug related deaths across Glasgow and Scotland?

3. What are the consequences of drug related deaths on the community(local & global)?

4. What has been done in the past to decrease the number of drug related deaths in Scotland? What do you think is more effective?

5. How much money has been spent on the consumption room so far, and how much bigger that number is going to be in the space of a year?

6. What are the alternatives of a consumption rooms, and what are the pros and cons of those?

7. Has the Scottish Parliament used any of those methods in the past? Yes, they have been used

8. What is your opinion on decriminalizing drugs in Scotland?

9. Do you know what other countries the Glasgow consumption room has been based on(maybe you could give examples of specific rooms abroad that have been an inspiration/viewed as a good example)?

10. Is 'The Thistle' permanent or temporary solution of drug related deaths due to unsafe drug consumption?

11. How successful has the consumption room been so far?

12. There is an opinion that opening of 'The Thistle' will only encourage people to take more drugs, as they know that the risk is much lower and no one will judge them in the room. Would you agree? Why?

Response

In respect to the twelve questions you have asked, most of them are accessible to you via online resources. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. However, to hasten the submission of your assignment this information has been provided to you below with reference links for further research and referencing.

In relation to the first part of your request, the aim of the Safer Drug Consumption Facility (SDCF) is to reduce drug related overdose deaths and the impact of outdoor drug use on the local community, businesses and residents. It is also expected that the facility will improve the local community by reducing: the levels of discarded drug related litter; the levels of outdoor injecting; and also the levels of drug related criminal activity, public disorder and other anti-social behaviours. IJB_15_02_2017_ItemNo13_ _SCF_and_HAT.pdf (pg11) Written question and answer: S6W-30792 | Scottish Parliament Website

In relation to the second part of your request, Public Health Scotland published a review that analysed the circumstances of each person who experienced a drug related death in Scotland in 2019 and 2020. This publication state that many families are impacted, with 602 children losing a parent or parental figure to a drug related death in 2020. Analysis reveals families and communities impacted by drugrelated deaths in Scotland - News - Public Health Scotland

In relation to the third part of your request, while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. Having undertaken a search our electronic Records and Document Management system, we have not identified any communications that provide the details you requested. This is because SDCF project is initiated and overseen by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), who manage the project. The Scottish Government primarily provides funding to support the operational running of SDCF. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. You can contact Glasgow HSCP directly to gather additional information through their email at foi@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

In relation to the fourth part of your request, a comprehensive approach is the most effective way in reducing drug related deaths and the following has been established to decrease drug related deaths in Scotland: National Naloxone Programme, National Mission on Drug Deaths and Drug death Taskforce. Alcohol and drugs - gov.scot

In relation to the fifth part of your request, A total of £1,277,000 will be provided by Scottish Government for the financial year 2024-25. Scottish Government has committed to making up to £2.3 million available per annum (from 2024-25 – 2026-27) to Glasgow HSCP for the development, set up and running of the SDCF. Written question and answer: S6W-33317 | Scottish Parliament Website

In relation to the sixth part of your request, SDCF is a harm reduction intervention with no true alternatives. Our goal is to get more people into the form of treatment that works best for them. A strong body of evidence, from the UK and internationally support the effectiveness of the different interventions, demonstrating that they can reduce street drug use and increase the likelihood of individuals remaining in treatment. Our key harm reduction interventions including the Naloxone Programme, Drug Checking Services and Enhanced Drug Treatment Service (Heroin Assisted Treatment) all of which would play a key role in saving lives and supporting recovery. Alcohol and drugs - gov.scot

In relation to the seventh part of your request, there are no alternatives to consumption rooms; therefore no response can be provided to this question.

In relation to the eighth part of your request, decriminalisation of all drugs for personal supply is one of a number of policies which the Scottish Government is calling on the UK Government to implement in a new paper on drug law reform. The move would allow people found in possession of drugs to be treated and supported rather than criminalised and excluded. Decriminalisation would also mean that without a criminal record, people in recovery would have a better chance of employment. The Scottish Government has outlined measures which could be implemented through further devolution, independence, or changes enacted immediately by the UK Government to support the work being done within existing powers to reduce drug deaths. Drug Law Reform proposals - gov.scot

In relation to the ninth part of your request, there are more than 100 Safer Drug Consumption Facilities (SDCFs) operating in at least 66 cities around the world, within 10 countries - Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Denmark, Australia and Canada. Safer drug consumption facilities: evidence paper - gov.scot Drug consumption rooms: an overview of provision and evidence (Perspectives on drugs) | www.euda.europa.eu

In relation to the tenth part of your request, SDCF is not a silver bullet, however, we know from evidence from more than 100 facilities worldwide that safer drug consumption facilities work and save lives.

In relation to the eleventh part of your request, early engagement information will be reported in due course but our understanding is that uptake was good in the first week of the pilot. Data generated from the day-to-day running of the Thistle Service will be recorded and collated by Glasgow HSCP alongside a range of routine data from other Health and Social Care services to enable a comprehensive evaluation and published in due course. Written question and answer: S6W-33217 | Scottish Parliament Website

In relation to the twelfth part of your request, we do not agree that The Thistle facility will encourage people to take more drugs. The evidence from other countries indicates that drug consumption rooms do not increase drug use, drug dealing or crime in the areas in which they are located. This is largely because they are located in areas where injecting is already occurring in public spaces. We therefore do not anticipate that the facility will cause these problems; nonetheless, this will be monitored as part of the evaluation of the proposed facility.

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