Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Deferred
Mandate independent evaluation findings determine future of The Thistle safe drug consumption facility.
Conclusion
We recognise that the opening of The Thistle on a pilot-basis presents an opportunity to test the effectiveness of SDCFs in Glasgow’s unique context. We believe the evidence provided by the independent evaluation panel should be determinative in discussions about The Thistle’s future beyond the three-year pilot. If the evaluation does not demonstrate the facility’s efficacy, it is difficult to see how The Thistle — or any other SDCFs in Scotland — could proceed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 36)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government deflected by discussing a Home Office licence issued for drug checking services at 55 Hunter Street, Glasgow, while clarifying that this licence does not cover The Thistle's safer drug consumption service.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
The UK fully recognises the Scottish Government’s need to tackle drug misuse in areas where responsibility is devolved, including healthcare, criminal justice, housing, and education. The legislative framework for drugs works as intended, enabling harmful substances to be controlled whilst ensuring access for those with legitimate reasons including researchers, pharmaceutical companies, clinicians and patients in receipt of valid prescriptions. The Government has been clear that it has no plans to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to enable the operation of DCRs in any part of the United Kingdom. The Thistle is subject to an independent evaluation, and we will welcome any evidence that emerges as part of that following the three-year pilot.
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