UK’s First Legal Drug Consumption Facility to Open in Glasgow

The three-year pilot aims to address Scotland’s drug death crisis with supervised drug use and integrated support services.

The Thistle, located in Glasgow’s East End, will allow drug users to consume illegal substances under clinical supervision starting Monday.
The facility includes injecting booths, a recovery lounge, and amenities such as showers, laundry, and a garden, designed with input from former addicts.
Scotland’s Lord Advocate confirmed users will not face prosecution for possession within the facility, though drug laws remain reserved to Westminster.
Scotland continues to have the highest drug death rate in Europe, with over 1,170 fatalities reported in 2023, prompting calls for innovative harm-reduction measures.
Officials hope the pilot will demonstrate the effectiveness of safer consumption rooms and pave the way for similar initiatives across the UK.