Safe Injection Room (Glasgow)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 24 January 2018.

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Photo of Rona Mackay Rona Mackay Scottish National Party

4. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding introducing a safe injection room for drug users in Glasgow. (S5O-01707)

Photo of Aileen Campbell Aileen Campbell Scottish National Party

Following advice from the Lord Advocate on Glasgow’s proposals, I wrote to the UK Government’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability on 9 November 2017, requesting a meeting to discuss devolving to the Scottish Parliament powers that would allow Glasgow to progress its proposals for a safer injecting facility. I await a response to that request. However, at the end of a Westminster debate last week, the UK Government said that it had no intention of supporting the proposal or of devolving the necessary powers. I urge it to reconsider, particularly in light of the specific public health needs in Glasgow.

Photo of Rona Mackay Rona Mackay Scottish National Party

I thank the minister for that answer. Given that such projects elsewhere have proved to be successful in reducing harm, for example by preventing increases in HIV infection rates, does she agree that if and when such powers come to Scotland, we should introduce safe rooms for addicts as quickly as is practicable?

Photo of Aileen Campbell Aileen Campbell Scottish National Party

I agree that there is evidence that safer injecting facilities are successful in reducing harm for people who inject drugs. Importantly, they also offer a real opportunity to engage with a specific population who may not ordinarily use existing treatment and support services. If we were to have the relevant powers, we could consider, on its merits, any business case to introduce such a facility, particularly in areas where is a clear public health need.