UK Policing Minister "would consider" Glasgow drugs consumption room

The UK’s Policing Minister is telling Clyde 1 he would consider a request from the Scottish Government for a drugs consumption room in Glasgow.

It follows calls from MPs on Westminster’s Home Affairs Committee for a pilot facility to be given the go ahead.

However, Chris Philp has also expressed fears about the idea.

“I haven’t received any formal request from the Scottish Government for a license. If I receive one, I’ll give it consideration on its merits.

“On a more general point, I am slightly concerned setting up drugs consumption rooms legitimises, and possibly even encourages illegal drug taking.”

The Home Affairs Committee report recommends the pilot is jointly funded by both the UK and Scottish governments.

If the UK Government remains unwilling to support the scheme, the power to establish it should be devolved to the Scottish Government, the committee also said.

Safe consumption rooms have "a part to play"

SNP MP Alison Thewliss has campaigned for an overdose prevention site in Glasgow for years and believes Westminster can’t ignore the growing demands.

“Safe consumption rooms are not a silver bullet when it comes to drug deaths in Scotland, but they do have a part to play in a joined up approach from every level of government to combat drug-related deaths, and - as this committee agrees - could save lives.”

Campaigner Peter Krykant set up a “safe consumption van” in Glasgow in 2020 and believes the Scottish Government needs to be “brave” if the UK Government continues to oppose the idea.

“I would say to the Scottish Government and to the Lord Advocate to step up, make a decision, get these facilities operational."

"The UK Government, at that point, what are they going to do? Send in the tanks to close down a small place in Glasgow which supports some of the most marginalised people in our community?”

“A more humane approach”

The Scottish Government’s Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham is hoping the report leads to a “more humane approach” to drugs policy in the UK.

"We have long called for agreement from the UK Government to allow us to do this, whether to support us in establishing a pilot or through devolving the necessary powers to allow us to do so.

"It has always been in the UK Government's power to accelerate the delivery of an SDCF.

"If it was serious about looking to improve outcomes for people affected by problem substance use it could use powers reserved to it to support what we are already doing within devolved powers, or devolve the appropriate powers to us so we could move to implement a facility as quickly as possible."

However, despite UK Policing Minister Chris Philp telling us he would consider an approach from the Scottish Government, a Home Office spokesperson has also said:

"There is no safe way to take illegal drugs, which devastate lives, ruin families and damage communities, and we have no plans to consider this.”

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