Greater than 130 folks used the UK’s first drug consumption clinic within the facility’s first week.
The Safer Medicine Consumption Facility in Glasgow opened on 13 January, letting folks take substances beneath supervision.
Cllr Allan Casey, the town convener for habit providers, mentioned it had been an “intense first week” for workers, with 131 customers.
There have been no medical emergencies ensuing from drug use inside the facility – often called the Thistle – within the first seven days.
It’s hoped that the clinic can reduce fatal and non-fatal overdoses by offering a protected and clear place for folks to make use of medicine, whereas additionally giving folks additional assist to deal with their habit.
In addition to safer injecting amenities, customers had been supplied with wound care, clear injecting tools and naloxone as required.
A spokesperson for the power mentioned some customers had already engaged with housing and drug therapy assist.
Cllr Casey added that the clinic had made a “promising begin” since opening.
He added: “It has been an intense first week for the workforce as all eyes are on Glasgow.
“I’m delighted to listen to persons are making use of all of the amenities accessible on the Thistle.
“We all know this isn’t a silver bullet – however having a facility that’s protected, hygienic and medically supervised will go a good distance in the direction of decreasing drug-related overdoses, injection-related wounds and infections, and the detrimental impression that injecting outdoor has on native communities.”
The ability was first proposed for Glasgow in 2016 however years of debate between the Scottish and UK governments than ensued.
The ability was finally approved in the autumn of 2023, with operating prices anticipated to succeed in almost £7m over the subsequent three years.
It’s located within the metropolis’s Hunter Road, subsequent to a clinic the place 23 long-term drug customers are presently prescribed pharmaceutical heroin.
A earlier report by the NHS estimated roughly 400 to 500 folks” used medicine publicly within the metropolis centre frequently, whereas Scotland has constantly had the highest number of drug death overdoses in Europe.
The UK authorities mentioned in 2023 it didn’t intend to open any clinics elsewhere, however would not interfere in the Glasgow plan.
