SNP must roll out Scotland-wide network of drug consumption rooms

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Adam Harley MSP has today said that the SNP government “must waste no time” in rolling out a Scotland-wide network of safer drug consumption rooms, ahead of new annual figures which are widely expected to show an increase in drug-related deaths.

Scotland has seen the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe for seven years.

This emergency has been worsened by the rising availability of new synthetic opioids, some of which are hundreds of times more potent than heroin.

Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see a Scotland-wide network of safer drugs consumption facilities, continually learning from the experience of the Thistle centre in Glasgow.

At the beginning of the year, The Thistle had been accessed 11,348 times and used for 7,827 injections of illegal drugs, successfully managing 93 medical emergencies. The centre has also referred 612 people to other services, including housing, as part of an effort to help them off drugs.

Scottish Liberal Democrats also want to see a national network of life stations that combine naloxone kits with public access defibrillators and bleed kits.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Adam Harley MSP said:

“Every indication we have tells us that these figures will reveal far too many lives cut short by drugs.

“The SNP government have already scheduled a statement for these figures because they know how devastating they are likely to be. It is long past time for transformational action that will save lives.

“It's why we must waste no time in rolling out a Scotland-wide network of safer drugs consumption facilities, continually learning from Glasgow’s experience while recognising the inherent risk to life in other parts of Scotland. My party also want to see multi-year funding models for all drugs and alcohol services. 

“There are a whole host of powers that the Scottish Government has at its disposal to end this crisis and save lives- they must waste no time in making the most of them."