Glasgow’s drugs consumption room records over 1,000 visits in first 7 weeks
The same 143 people have visited The Thistle centre 1,067 times since it opened in January
Glasgow’s drugs consumption room, The Thistle Centre, has recorded more than 1,000 visits since opening in January, new figures reveal.
Glasgow City Council confirmed that 143 individuals have used the service a total of 1,067 times in its first seven weeks of operation, from 13 January to 2 March.
Nursing staff at the centre have supervised drug injections over 700 times, with users injecting heroin, cocaine, or both.
The facility, the first of its kind in the UK, aims to reduce harm and connect vulnerable individuals with support services.
The council reported that a number of medical emergencies had been successfully managed at the centre, with assistance from the Scottish Ambulance Service in some cases.
All those involved have since recovered and received further harm reduction support from staff.
Ahead of a Westminster Scottish Affairs Committee meeting to discuss the facility, Councillor Allan Casey, convener for addiction services, praised its impact: “The Thistle has already saved lives and exceeded expectations in its first weeks.
"People who felt marginalised are now engaging with support, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Open 365 days a year from 9am to 9pm, the centre will continue to be monitored, with updates provided to Glasgow’s Integration Joint Board and an independent evaluation set to assess its long-term impact.