An announcement by the Lord Advocate, that it would not be in the
public interest for people using a pilot Safer Drug Consumption
room to face prosecution for possession within the facility, has
been welcomed by the Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister .
Dorothy Bain KC’s indication that she would issue a public
statement of prosecution policy removes an obstacle to
establishing the first official Safer Drug Consumption Facility
in the UK. It follows her independent consideration of a detailed
proposal for a pilot developed by Glasgow City Health and Social
Care Partnership (HSCP) and Police Scotland, facilitated by the
Scottish Government.
Today’s news means Glasgow HSCP can take plans to establish the
facility to the Glasgow City Integration Joint Board for
approval.
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister said:
“I welcome the position the Lord Advocate has taken.
“Glasgow authorities may now progress their proposal to set up a
facility which can operate within the existing legal framework.
While the service would still be limited to some extent, due to
the reserved Misuse of Drugs Act, we are confident it would save
lives.
“This is not a silver bullet. But we know from evidence from more
than 100 facilities worldwide that Safer Drug Consumption
Facilities work. It is now time to see this approach piloted in
Scotland.
“It’s vital this pilot has the full confidence of the general
public as well as those who use the facility, and the leadership
of Glasgow and Police Scotland will help ensure it is introduced
as quickly as possible.
“Through our £250 million National Mission, we are doing
everything within our powers to tackle drug deaths in Scotland.
However, the number of deaths is still too high and we must use
every means at our disposal as we face future challenges,
including the increasing threat from synthetic opioids.”
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said:
“Police Scotland is committed to working in partnership to reduce
the harm associated with problematic substance use and addiction.
“Our approach to any initiative aimed at tackling these harms
will be to establish how best policing can support it within the
confines of the law.
“It is important to note that existing legislation will not be
changing and, while we may take an overall supportive policing
approach, police officers will still be bound by their legal duty
to uphold the law and will not be able to simply ignore acts of
criminality which they see occurring.”
Susanne Millar, Chief Officer for Glasgow’s Health and Social
Care Partnership, said:
“We welcome the position from the Lord Advocate and the positive
response on plans for a Safer Drug Consumption Facility to
operate in Glasgow. A large body of evidence already exists
from around the world which demonstrates that Safer Drug
Consumption Facilities can save lives, as well as reducing the
spread of blood-borne viruses and cutting levels of publically
discarded injecting equipment.”
