Glasgow bids to run drug-checking service at Hunter Street

 An application to run a drug-checking pilot in Glasgow has been submitted to the UK Government Home Office.

Drug checking services enable people who use drugs to have their drugs chemically analysed and receive information on the content of submitted samples. Services are both confidential and anonymous. In addition to providing information about what is in a drug sample, trained staff can offer harm reduction advice and support, brief interventions and access to treatment services.

If approved, the service would operate from Hunter Street - the same site of the UK's first Safer Drug Consumption Facility, due to open later this year.

Scottish Government funding of £1 million has been committed to run drug-checking services in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow.

Speaking during a visit to the Hunter Street site, Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said:

"Glasgow's licence application is a welcome milestone. Drug-checking facilities would enable us to respond faster to emerging drug trends - which is particularly important given the presence of highly dangerous, super-strong synthetic opioids like nitazenes in an increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply. These increase the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death, and are being found in a range of substances.

"We're taking a wide range of measures to reduce harm and save lives - including the opening of a Safe Drug Consumption Facility pilot in Glasgow, supported by £2.3 million in ringfenced funding. I was pleased to see the progress that has been made and I'm grateful to everyone involved for their hard work. This facility is not a silver bullet. But we know from evidence from more than 100 facilities worldwide that they work."

Joining the Minister at the visit was Glasgow's City Convener for Workforce, Homelessness and Addiction Services, Councillor Allan Casey.

Cllr Casey said: "Glasgow's plans to open Scotland's first safer drug consumption facility are progressing well and the submission of a Home Office licence application to operate a drug checking service is another step towards providing comprehensive harm-reduction measures at our Hunter Street site.

"Being able to test drug samples on site will give staff the opportunity to engage with service users about what they're using and provide harm-reduction advice and support.

"Engagement with local businesses, residents and community groups regarding the opening of our safer drug consumption facility is still ongoing. We recently completed a successful recruitment campaign, supported by volunteers with lived experience, and staff will be coming into post in the coming weeks, where they will undertake induction and training plans."

Further information and background can be found at Glasgow City HSPC website.