Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Rejected
Establishing multiple safer drug consumption facilities requires a clear, common UK legal framework.
Recommendation
There has been interest in establishing SCDFs in other parts of Scotland, and the Lord Advocate has indicated that she will consider any such applications on their merits. Rather than having multiple facilities with individual 48 prosecution policy arrangements, it would be more appropriate for them to operate on a clear, legal basis, common to all. This would require legislative action from the UK Government and UK Parliament. (Conclusion, Paragraph 68) A gold standard service
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation for legislative action to provide a common legal basis for SDCFs, stating it has no plans to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Response: 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.