What are drug consumption rooms and why does Glasgow need them?

It was revealed last week that consumption rooms could open in Glasgow if the Scottish Government was to give plans the ‘green light’ - only three years after the Home Office blocked plans for a pilot project in Glasgow.

What’s the issue: Drug laws are not currently a devolved issue, with the UK Government still retaining those powers. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken out against the idea of consumption rooms. Scottish ministers believe the rooms could help curb the growing problem of drug-related deaths in Scotland, but the Misuse of Drugs Act is reserved to Westminster.

Why are they needed: The National Records of Scotland’s latest data shows that there were 1339 drug-related deaths in the country in 2020, a five per cent increase on 2019, the biggest number since records began, and by far the highest rate in Europe. The issue is particularly pertinent in Glasgow, as the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area had the highest number of drug-related deaths in Scotland - 444 deaths, more than double the figure for second-place Lanarkshire. The number has been on the rise since 2013, when the figure was 138.

What are consumption rooms: Supervised drug consumption facilities allow users to take illicit drugs under the supervision of trained staff. The main aims of these facilities are to reduce the risk of disease transmission through unhygienic injecting, prevent overdose deaths and connect the users with addiction treatment and support services.

Other benefits: They can also contribute to the reduction of drug use in public places and discarded needles.

What happens in the consumption rooms: The drug users are given sterile equipment, counselling services at the beginning, during and after drug use, emergency care if an overdose occurs, and links to addiction services.

Do other countries use them: Facilities have been operating around Europe for three decades. Facilities are based in areas including north eastern Spain, Denmark, Germany and Denmark, with the Netherlands and north western Germany leading the way. The first such facility was opened in Berne, Switzerland, in 1986.