Home Secretary invited to Glasgow to learn about 'fix room' proposals

Home Secretary Amber Rudd will be invited to visit Glasgow to learn more about proposals for the country’s first safer drug consumption facility.

Councillors have backed calls to ask the Minister to meet Glaswegians who are affected by chaotic public drug use.

The motion - proposed by City Convener for Health and Social Care Integration, Cllr Mhairi Hunter – was seconded by her fellow board member Cllr Archie Graham and amended by Bailie Kyle Thornton and Cllr Kim Long.

The city’s Health and Social Care Partnership has developed and agreed proposals to create a consumption facility, which it is expected would cut public injecting; reduce harm for drug users and communities, and prevent increases in drug-related infections.

However, Scotland’s Lord Advocate has made it clear operating such a facility would require the UK Government to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Cllr Hunter welcomed support for the motion from all political groups on the Council. She said: “This is not a political issue – it is a public health issue.

“These proposals have been developed by clinical and social work professionals, who are confident they are the most effective response to a public health crisis that is ongoing in our city."