Scotland could have mobile units and inhalation rooms to tackle drug deaths crisis

Key Points

The Thistle safe drug consumption facility opened in January 2025 as a three-year pilot, a UK first
Scotland’s drug deaths remain Europe’s worst and while The Thistle may reduce fatalities locally, it won’t shift national figures, report finds
The facility currently supports only injection, despite rising inhalation trends, limiting its effectiveness
Scotland could have mobile safe consumption rooms, to reduce cost and reach a wider population
The Thistle operates in a legal grey area, relying solely on the Lord Advocate’s prosecutorial discretion
Without UK Government legislation, the future of The Thistle – and any similar facilities – is uncertain

Scotland could have mobile safe consumption units and inhalation rooms to tackle its drug deaths crisis, which remains the worst in Europe.

A report by the Scottish Affairs Committee raised the possibility of considering additional alternative models to run alongside the country’s first drug consumption room.

The Thistle – the UK’s first facility of its kind – opened in Glasgow in January 2025 for a three-year pilot.

But MPs have warned it should not be seen as a “silver bullet” to tackle Scotland’s drug deaths.

The Thistle is the UK's first drugs consumption room in Glasgow. — The Thistle is the UK’s first drugs consumption room in Glasgow. STV News

Committee members found that smaller mobile facilities could be more cost-effective and reach a greater number of drug users.

The MPs also stated an inhalation room, which would let users smoke drugs via pipes, is needed for The Thistle to remain effective.

It comes just days after figures confirmed Scotland continues to have the highest rate of drug-related deaths per head of population anywhere in Europe.

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Inside the UK’s first drug consumption room in Glasgow

Users will be able to take illegal drugs under medical supervision at £2.3m facility planned for the city’s east end.

The committee said public injecting has been a particular problem in Glasgow, contributing to harms such as the spread of blood-borne viruses, including HIV.

It also noted international evidence shows such facilities can reduce these harms and relieve pressure on health services.

But the report also said The Thistle, located in the east end of Glasgow, must be judged on its merits and not come at the expense of other recovery services.

It added that concerns from nearby residents must be “taken seriously” and a “responsive communication strategy” must be implemented as soon as possible.

The Thistle: UK's first drugs consumption room in Glasgow — The Thistle: UK’s first drugs consumption room in Glasgow STV News

Patricia Ferguson, chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said: “Scotland has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe. Without a doubt, this is the most pressing public health issue facing the nation, and things need to change urgently to stop more people dying.

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Scottish Government proposals to decriminalise drugs for personal use are both welcomed and derided.

“The Thistle could be one way of helping Scotland do this. If the facility, after its three-year pilot, is shown to be effective at tackling drug-related harm, we’re urging the UK Government to follow the evidence and take the legislative action needed to create a proper legal framework that will ensure it can run and be regulated properly.

“However, we also recognise that The Thistle is not a silver bullet. Our report emphasises that this pilot shouldn’t come at the cost of other recovery services – rather, they should operate in tandem to offer as much help as possible to people with problem drug use.”