Can taking hard drugs in an NHS room save lives?
Jan 10, 2025•18 min
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Episode description
The UK's first safer drug consumption room will open in Glasgow's East End on Monday. It will allow users to take illegal substances under medical supervision in the hope they will get help with their addiction. Known as the Thistle, it will be open 365 days a year from 9am to 9pm.
But Scotland has the worst rate of drug deaths in Europe and with this facility finally ready after 10 years in the making, some are questioning if it will reduce drug deaths.
Niall Paterson speaks to our Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies, who has been to look inside the service and shares more about how it will work.
Plus, Professor Catriona Matheson who specialises in substance use at the University of Stirling and is a former lead of Scotland's drug deaths task force, joins Niall to discuss the costs and potential benefits.
Producer: Soila Apparicio
Editor: Philly Beaumont
But Scotland has the worst rate of drug deaths in Europe and with this facility finally ready after 10 years in the making, some are questioning if it will reduce drug deaths.
Niall Paterson speaks to our Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies, who has been to look inside the service and shares more about how it will work.
Plus, Professor Catriona Matheson who specialises in substance use at the University of Stirling and is a former lead of Scotland's drug deaths task force, joins Niall to discuss the costs and potential benefits.
Producer: Soila Apparicio
Editor: Philly Beaumont
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