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 … Show more
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd report - Problem drug use in Scotland follow-up: Glasgo… | HC 630 | 16 Sep 2025 | 21 | Responded |
The Thistle is an example of just one model of a safer drug consumption facility, and it is possible that others — such as mobile units — could provide more cost-effective solutions, or interventions better suited to the needs of local populations. There could be merit in exploring other service … Read more
Community support and the impact of the SDCF on the local community is of paramount importance to the success of The Thistle. While we are reassured that the ongoing independent evaluation is monitoring the levels of discarded paraphernalia and the wider impact on the local community, and recognising the international … Read more
A responsive communication strategy must be developed by The Thistle, agreed by the Community Forum, and put in place as soon as possible in order to support the community engagement and partnership working that is crucial to the success of the project. (Conclusion, Paragraph 104) Read more
The Home Office should urgently complete its assessment of The Thistle for a drug checking licence and should ensure any necessary support is provided to ensure The Thistle is successful in its application. The Home Office should provide an update on the progress of the drug checking license in its … Read more
| 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 ↗ |
| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew McAuley · Professor of Public Health | Glasgow Caledonian University | 1 |
| Catriona Matheson · Professor in Substance Use | The University of Stirling | 1 |
| Councillor Allan Casey · City Convener for Workforce and Homelessness and … | Glasgow City Council | 1 |
| Dorothy Bain KC, The Lord Advocate | — | 1 |
| Dr Saket Priyadarshi · Associate Medical Director, Alcohol and Drug Reco… | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 1 |
| Gillian Shorter · Reader in Clinical Psychology | Queen’s University Belfast | 1 |
| Jenny Hamilton · Policy and Engagement | Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service | 1 |
| Kelda Gaffney · Interim Assistant Chief Officer, Adult Services &… | Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership | 1 |
| Laura Zeballos · Deputy Director, Drugs Policy Division | Scottish Government | 1 |
| Lynn MacDonald · Service Manager | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 1 |
| Marcus Starling · Deputy Director of the Drug Misuse Unit, Crime Re… | Home Office | 1 |
| Neil Gray MSP · Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care | Scottish Government | 1 |
| Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP · Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention | Home Office | 1 |
| Superintendent Joanne McEwan, Police Scotland | — | 1 |
| Vittal Katikireddi · Professor of Public Health & Health Inequalities | The University of Glasgow | 1 |
| Date | Direction | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 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… |
| Date | Type | Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 2025 | Formal meeting (private meeting) | — · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House |