Current:Home > MyScotland to get U.K.'s first ever illegal drug "consumption room" in bid to tackle addiction -Visionary Wealth Guides
Scotland to get U.K.'s first ever illegal drug "consumption room" in bid to tackle addiction
View
Date:2025-04-18 18:13:36
The Scottish city of Glasgow will soon host the U.K.'s first "consumption room," where people can go to use illegal drugs in a controlled environment, in a bid to address Scotland's long-standing problem with addiction. The facility will allow drug users to consume drugs including cocaine and heroin in a hygienic and safe environment under the supervision of health care professionals.
"There is overwhelming international evidence which demonstrates that safer drug consumption facilities can improve the health, wellbeing and recovery of people who use the facility and reduce the negative impact that public injecting has on local communities and businesses," said the Glasgow City Integration Joint Board, which advises on community health and social care services.
The idea has been discussed for years but can now proceed after Scotland's senior police official made it clear that users would not be prosecuted for possessing illegal drugs at the facility, which will be part of an existing clinic in Glasgow's east end.
Speaking to CBS News partner network BBC News, Dr. Saket Priyadarshi, who will run the project, said evidence from similar efforts around the world showed it was possible for such facilities to reduce harm and help users engage in treatment.
"The case for this is as relevant now as it always was," Priyadarshi said.
A study conducted after a 2016 outbreak of HIV in the city found there were approximately 400 to 500 people injecting drugs in public places in central Glasgow on a regular basis.
Despite the number of people dying from drugs falling to the lowest level in five years, Scotland still has the worst drug death rate in Europe.
"I welcome the news," said Scotland's drug and alcohol policy minister Elena Whitham. "We know this is not a silver bullet. But we know from evidence from more than 100 facilities worldwide that safer drug consumption facilities work."
Scotland's laws on illegal drugs have not changed, but attitudes in the country around how to address addiction have, with more lawmakers open to viewing it as a public health problem rather than a law enforcement issue. South of the border, in England, there have been no similar efforts to date to provide safe, supervised environments for drug users.
- In:
- Drug Overdose
- Cocaine
- United Kingdom
- Scotland
veryGood! (244)
Related
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- How the 'Stop the Steal' movement outwitted Facebook ahead of the Jan. 6 insurrection
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Do Date Night in Matching Suits at 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars Party
- Elon Musk says he sleeps on a couch at Twitter headquarters and his dog is CEO in new wide-ranging interview
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Salma Hayek and Daughter Valentina Are the Perfect Match in Coordinating Oscars 2023 Red Carpet Looks
- Instagram Is Pausing Its Plan To Develop A Platform For Kids After Criticism
- Pregnant Rihanna Brings the Fashion Drama to the Oscars 2023 With Dominatrix Style
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Ordering food on an app is easy. Delivering it could mean injury and theft
Ranking
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Before Dying, An Unvaccinated TikTok User Begged Others Not to Repeat Her Mistake
- Students are still struggling to get internet. The infrastructure law could help
- Facebook asks court to toss FTC lawsuit over its buys of Instagram and WhatsApp
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Oscars 2023: Don’t Worry Darling, Florence Pugh Has Arrived in Daring Style
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $360 3-in-1 Bag for Just $89
- Every Time Jimmy Kimmel and the 2023 Oscars Addressed Will Smith's Slap
Recommendation
Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
Why Kelly Ripa Says “Nothing Will Change” After Ryan Seacrest Exits Live
Oscars 2023: Ana de Armas Details Being Moved by Marilyn Monroe's Presence During Blonde
Why Kelly Ripa Says “Nothing Will Change” After Ryan Seacrest Exits Live
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny sick and maybe poisoned, spokesman says
Couple beheaded themselves with homemade guillotine in ritual sacrifice, police in India say
U.S. border officials record 25% jump in migrant crossings in March amid concerns of larger influx