Expansion of safe consumption rooms would immediately save lives
The Scottish Greens are urging the UK Government to reconsider its dangerous decision to rule out changing the law to allow the expansion of legal safe consumption rooms.
Reacting to the news that there will not be any change of legislation to allow similar facilities to The Thistle in Glasgow to open across other parts of the UK, Scottish Greens MSP for Glasgow Patrick Harvie is urging the UK Government to acknowledge the early success of the Glasgow facility and reconsider.
Patrick said:
“It is dangerous and short-sighted of the government to rule out supporting the opening of further safe consumption rooms.
“There is already evidence to show that these facilities save lives and are showing success in reducing overdose and deaths, while providing compassionate support for people living with addictions.
“Addiction and drug-related deaths are not localised in Glasgow, and expanding these facilities in other parts of Scotland and beyond would undoubtedly save many more lives.
“It’s time the UK Government accepted that addiction should be treated as a health and social issue, instead of criminalising and stigmatising. Long term recovery services are essential too, but the Thistle is saving the lives of people who are in immediate crisis. We cannot afford to wait until the three-year pilot is over before an agreement is reached to expand these services, when there are people across the country who would benefit from these facilities now.”