The UK government has dismissed the recommendations from the Scottish Affairs Committee to allow the creation of more safer drug consumption facilities across Scotland.
Kirsten Horsburgh, Chief Executive of Scottish Drugs Forum, says: “The UK Government’s latest response to the Scottish Affairs Committee shows, once again, an alarming willingness to ignore evidence, expert recommendation, and the living reality of people most affected by drug harms.
“Drug consumption facilities (including inhalation spaces) have been operating successfully in other countries for decades. The evidence of their benefits is clear.
“The Scottish Affairs Committee reviewed this body of evidence. Experts submitted testimony. Scotland’s drug deaths crisis – the most severe in Europe – underscores the urgency.
“Yet the UK Government’s response simply restates a political position rather than working with the facts. It’s hard to interpret this as anything other than a complete disregard for evidence-based responses.
“The refusal to progress the introduction of safer inhalation pipes or even consider supporting inhalation spaces is particularly indefensible.
“Safer inhalation pipes are a simple, cheap, evidence-supported intervention that reduce injury and infection and create crucial points of engagement – often the first doorway into harm reduction and treatment. Many cities around the world distribute them as standard.
“That the UK continues to block them under the Misuse of Drugs Act shows how outdated and obstructive this legislation has become.
“Glasgow has made the case for the introduction of an inhalation space in The Thistle safer consumption facility, due to the significant harm observed from crack use, in particular, and from the rapid growth of high-risk inhalation patterns.
“The Thistle demonstrates what Scotland can achieve when it steps forward despite legislative resistance. Extending this to include inhalation – based on need, evidence, and international best practice – is the logical, necessary next step.
“The Misuse of Drugs Act was introduced in 1971. It is over half a century old – predating the current drug landscape, modern harm reduction science, and our understanding of dependency and public health.
“Scotland is attempting to innovate in the middle of a national emergency. Westminster’s refusal to even allow the flexibility required to save lives is untenable.
“We don’t need more sentiment, more moralising, or more political posturing. We need action. We need modern law. We need responses grounded in evidence, not ideology.
“The Government’s rejection of the Committee’s recommendations highlights exactly why the Misuse of Drugs Act is no longer fit for purpose – and why Scotland must continue pushing forward with harm reduction whether Westminster approves or not.
“Lives depend on it.”