Council bosses and health staff expected approve safe drugs consumption room in Glasgow

They're meeting this morning and could make history with the plans.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 27th Sep 2023
Last updated 27th Sep 2023

Council bosses and health staff are meeting in Glasgow later and are expected to approve plans for Scotland's first safe drugs consumption room.

It would involve users injecting substances in a hygienic setting surrounded by trained healthcare professionals.

Claire Longmuir from Simon Community Scotland told Hits Radio: "By coming along to a service where you feel valued and are not going to be judged, it allows people to build up trusting relationships with staff.

"This could lead to people wanting to get treatment to come off drugs in the long term.

"People could also get help with housing or welfare because it's not just a single issue that users are facing".

The pilot scheme would see the facility based at Hunter Street health centre in the East End which already offers assistance with heroin addiction.

Our reporter Callum McQuade has been speaking to people living nearby about what they think.

One said: "I think those living around here will object to having something like this because of needles lying around."

Another added: "I live around the corner in Dennistoun and I don't have any objections to a site like this - it has got to go somewhere."

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