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UK's first legal drug consumption room registers 575 users in first year
Summary
The Thistle in Glasgow registered 575 users and recorded 11,348 visits in its first year, with staff managing 93 on-site medical emergencies.
Content
The Thistle, the UK's first legally sanctioned safer drug consumption facility, opened on 13 January 2025 in Glasgow. In its first year it registered 575 users and logged 11,348 visits. Staff recorded 7,827 injections and managed 93 medical emergencies while providing referrals to other services.
Key figures:
- 575 people registered since opening on 13 January 2025.
- 11,348 visits and 7,827 injections reported during the first year.
- 93 on-site medical emergencies were managed by staff.
- 612 people were referred to other services such as housing.
- Registered users were mostly men: 448 male and 127 female.
- The Scottish government committed up to £2.3 million annually to support the service.
Summary:
Early data indicates that the facility has been regularly used and has provided frequent referrals to support services. Officials reported that around a third of injected substances were cocaine and that there is anecdotal evidence of a shift by some people to smoking or inhalation. Glasgow health officials are in talks with the Scottish government about amending regulations to allow a smoking/inhalation space at the facility, and Edinburgh City Council is exploring a similar service.
