Cole-Hamilton calls for network of drug consumption rooms ahead of Glasgow facility opening 

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called on the Scottish Government to roll out a network of safe drug consumption centres as the first facility of its kind in the UK is set to open in Glasgow on Monday.

The Safer Drugs Consumption Facility on Hunter Street in Glasgow will allow people to take substances under the supervision of clinicians in a safe and clean space. These facilities have been proven to prevent fatal overdoses and present new pathways for treatment and recovery.

The opening of the facility comes amid the continuing drug deaths crisis, with the latest Police Scotland figures showing that there were 833 suspected drug deaths between January and September 2024.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“I welcome the opening of the Glasgow facility. Support for facilities such as this has been Liberal Democrat policy for many years, long before a consensus emerged in their favour, and I am glad that forward-thinking approach has finally become a reality.

“When almost 100 Scots are dying every month from drugs- a death rate far worse than anywhere else in Europe- the priority must be saving lives.

“These centres are proven to keep people safe and support them into recovery. That is why this pilot should herald the first of many more consumption facilities across the country.  

“If we are to end the untold suffering caused by the drug deaths crisis, help cannot be limited to Glasgow. Now, my party want to see the Scottish Government rolling out a nationwide network of safe consumption rooms, new drug checking facilities and giving people who are misusing drugs treatment instead of prison.”