Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Rejected
Require the Lord Advocate and Scottish Government to consider future inhalation room applications on their merits.
Recommendation
The Lord Advocate believes that widening the statement of prosecution policy to allow an inhalation room to operate is undesirable and we understand the reasons she has given. However, given that expert medical advice suggests that allowing the inhalation of drugs would increase opportunities for harm reduction, any future application for an inhalation room should be considered on its merits by the Lord Advocate and Scottish Government. (Conclusion, Paragraph 116)
Government Response Summary
The UK Government rejects the recommendation, stating it does not support drug consumption rooms or the expansion of facilities for drug inhalation, and has no plans for legislative changes to enable them.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Response: Under section 9A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 it is unlawful to supply articles which may be used for the administration of a controlled drug. The provision of tourniquets and other such equipment including safer inhalation pipes would constitute a breach of the law. The UK Government does not support drug consumption rooms (DCRs) or the expansion of facilities at The Thistle to enable users to inhale drugs and has no plans to make legislative changes to enable the provision of such paraphernalia as part of its operation. The Scottish Government has stated that in order to supply such equipment, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) would need to apply to the Lord Advocate for the necessary exemptions; how to respond to such a request would be a matter for the Lord Advocate.