Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Not Addressed
Urgently complete assessment and support The Thistle's drug checking licence application.
Recommendation
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 response to this report. (Recommendation, Paragraph 128) The future of SDCFs in Scotland
Government Response Summary
The government clarifies that a controlled drug licence was issued in October to the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board for a separate drug checking service, and this licence does not cover The Thistle itself.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Response: It is possible for drug checking services to obtain a Home Office licence, and the Home Office keeps an open dialogue with any potential applicants who wish to apply for a licence to ensure the strict requirements attached to drug checking are fully understood. While we do not usually comment on the status of drug checking licenses, with the permission of the applicant we are able to say that the Home Office controlled drug licence for the Glasgow drug checking service, which is a service being operated separately to The Thistle, was issued in October. This licence was issued to the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board for its premises at 55 Hunter Street, Glasgow. This enables the provision of substance misuse services including heroin assisted treatment and drug checking services. The Thistle safer drug consumption service, which also operates separately at this site, is not covered by this licence.