UK’s first ever legal drug taking room has been approved

Authorities have approved the UK's first official consumption room for illegal drugs.

The Glasgow City Integration Joint Board - made up of council officials and NHS staff - gave the green light on the project this morning (27 September).

The legal consumption room for illegal drugs was put forward after an HIV outbreak took place in the Scottish city in 2016.

The board published a report explaining its reasoning for going ahead with the room, which follows an assessment which found there 'are approximately 400 to 500 people injecting drugs in public places in Glasgow city centre on a regular basis'.

The UK's first legal drug taking room is going ahead. Credit: FotoMaximum/Getty Images

"Injecting in public spaces increases the risk of infection and other drug related harms, and also causes a risk to the public from discarded injecting equipment and needles," the report states.

The facility is reported as costing £2.3 million and will be built in the east end of Glasgow - the city, alongside Dundee, having 'the highest rates of drug misuse deaths over the last five years,' according to the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

In 2022, the NRS report '1,051 people died due to drug misuse' in Scotland.

Medical staff will be on hand at the facility to oversee drug takers as they take their own drugs - including cocaine and heroin - in a hygienic environment.

Getty Images/ Christopher Furlong

It's been demonstrated by 'overwhelming international evidence' - that safer drug consumption facilities can 'improve the health, wellbeing and recovery of people who use the facility,' according to the report.

The drug consumption room is also hoped to 'reduce the negative impact that public injecting has on local communities and businesses'.

At the online board meeting earlier today, associate medical director of Glasgow alcohol and drug recovery services, Dr Saket Priyadarshi, said, as quoted by the BBC, he believes the project will 'reduce drug-related harms' and give drug users more 'opportunities for treatment, care and recovery.'

Member of Parliament for Inverclyde Ronnie Cowan took to X - formerly known as Twitter - in support of the move.

He wrote: "The next stage has been completed in leading to the opening of an overdose prevention site in Glasgow.

"This is a momentous day and a huge step forward in the provision of support and advice for those suffering from drug addictions."

If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week