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Select Committee · Scottish Affairs Committee

Problem drug use in Scotland follow-up: Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility

Status: Closed Opened: 13 Jan 2025 Closed: 1 Dec 2025 8 recommendations 13 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry is examining the legal and policy challenges faced in setting up and running the pilot Safer Drugs Consumption Facility (SDCF) which opened in Glasgow in January 2025. This inquiry will examine the case for the facility, as well as its medical effectiveness in reducing drug-related harm in Scotland. The Committee will consider the …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd report - Problem drug use in Scotland follow-up: Glasgo… HC 630 16 Sep 2025 21 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
18 Recommendation 3rd report - Problem drug use in Scotla… Acknowledged

Require UK Government to seriously consider evaluation of The Thistle and merits of SDCFs.

The Minister has stated that the UK Government will consider the evidence emerging from the pilot. However, it was clear from the Minister’s evidence that the Home Office will not make legislative changes, even if the evaluation finds that the facility has been effective in meeting its aims. The UK …

Government response. The government acknowledges its commitment to an evidence-based approach to drug policy within the law, citing various existing evidence-based programs as examples.
Scotland Office
19 Recommendation 3rd report - Problem drug use in Scotla… Acknowledged

Demonstrate an evidence-based approach and consider The Thistle's independent evaluation for policymaking.

The UK Government must demonstrate that it has an evidence-based approach to policy making and will consider the independent evaluation of The Thistle. Any intervention found to be effective at saving lives and reducing harm should not be dismissed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 136)

Government response. The government acknowledges its commitment to an evidence-based approach to drug policy, citing existing programs like Individual Placement and Support, naloxone availability, and heroin-assisted treatment.
Scotland Office

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
4 Jun 2025 Laura Zeballos · Scottish Government, Marcus Starling · Home Office, Neil Gray MSP · Scottish Government, Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP · Home Office View ↗
7 May 2025 Dorothy Bain KC, The Lord Advocate, Jenny Hamilton · Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Superintendent Joanne McEwan, Police Scotland View ↗
5 Mar 2025 Councillor Allan Casey · Glasgow City Council, Dr Saket Priyadarshi · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Kelda Gaffney · Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, Lynn MacDonald · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde View ↗
12 Feb 2025 Andrew McAuley · Glasgow Caledonian University, Catriona Matheson · The University of Stirling, Gillian Shorter · Queen’s University Belfast, Vittal Katikireddi · The University of Glasgow View ↗

Correspondence

3 letters
DateDirectionTitle
3 Sep 2025 To cttee Letter from Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention regarding Thistle Licen…
19 Mar 2025 To cttee Letter from Annemarie Ward, CEO of Faces & Voices of Recovery UK, regarding ora…
12 Feb 2025 — Correspondence to the Chair from Fiona McIntyre, Royal Pharmaceutical Society S…